Melvin Berkley Crawford, 78, of New Castle, Virginia, died, Sunday May 11, 2014 at the Salem Health Care and Rehab Center in Salem.

He was born January 11, 1936 in Covington, a son of the late John Henry and Estelle Craft Crawford.

Mr. Crawford retired from the former Covington Coke Cola Bottling Plant after 32 years of service.

He was a member of the Crossroads United Methodist Church in New Castle.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Crawford was preceded in death by four brothers, Phillip H. Crawford, Robert L. Crawford, Gordon Crawford, and James Crawford; four sisters, Betty Wood, Mary Ann Martin, Sarah Jane Swartz and Myrtle Ellis, and cousins, Pauline and Eugene Gray.

Surviving are cousin, Bill Gray of Stuartville; Jim Gray and Eugene Gray, both of New Castle, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the Arritt Funeral Home on Saturday.

The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.

The family suggests that memorial donation in Mr. Crawford's name may be made to Crossroads United Methodist Church, 21892 Craig Creek Road, New Castle, VA 24127.