Mr. Melvin Lynwood Pressley

Melvin Lynwood Pressley, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, September 27, 2026. We feel sure he was greeted with these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Lynwood was born on July 10, 1938, in Molena, Georgia, to Melvin and Agnes Oglesby Pressley. He graduated from Pike County High where he met his future wife, Betty Middlebrooks. He later graduated from Gordon College.

Lynwood was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Douglas and Gary, and his sisters, Rosalyn and Nancy. 

Lynwood is survived by his wife of over 68 years, Betty, two daughters and a son: Judy Pressley Phillips (David), Asheville, N. C.; Jana Pressley Fletcher (Jim), Flowery Branch, GA; and Mark Pressley (Sala), Norman Park, GA.

He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Jennifer Phillips Negrea (Gabi), Escondido, California; Ana Jane Fletcher Shepherd (Kolby), Hoschton, Georgia; Jay Fletcher (Jennifer), Marietta, Georgia; Banks Fletcher (Michelle), Nashville, Tennessee; Sam Fletcher, Dawsonville, Georgia; and Katherine Phillips Young (Ethan), Horse Shoe, N C. He is survived by a special sister-in-law, Sue Bankston, Barnesville, Georgia, and fifteen great-grandchildren. A niece and several nephews also survive.

Lynwood was a true servant of his fellow man with a remarkable work ethic. Friends of Lynwood kept his phone number on speed dial because Lynwood was always eager to help others. He never sought the limelight; rather, he was always in the background doing the necessary jobs without being asked, in his quiet way.

His whole career was spent at Thomaston Mills where he worked as manager of the Engineering Department, and was eventually over the maintenance, waste water plant, and filter plant for over 45 years.

Lynwood was a man of strong faith, and he and Betty united with the Thomaston First Baptist Church in 1968. Lynwood served as a deacon, exemplifying what the Bible says a deacon should be. Even when Lynwood was dealing with his own cancer diagnosis, he volunteered to drive the Cancer Car to take others to get their treatments. Lynwood was tireless as he visited people, served meals, washed dishes, took out the trash, and climbed ladders to hang wreaths on the church windows in December. Church members going through adversity could count on Lynwood and Betty showing up at their door. He was in the adult choir and helped to construct the Living Christmas Tree each December. He had a big heart and served on the Benevolence Committee to help people who were down on their luck and needed a hand up. He also volunteered with the House of Care, picking up donated furniture for people in need. He influenced many young people as a Sunday School teacher of teen boys and as a leader in the church’s boy scout troop and taking them to Camp Thunder each summer.

Lynwood enjoyed playing golf, but his biggest thrill was when someone called him to ask him to help work on something. He treasured his neighbors of over 50 years and could be found frequently helping them.

Lynwood was active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council and the Board of Zoning and Appeals who recognized him as “a person of high moral standards with a sincere desire to help his fellow man and his community.” He was a Mason and in two civic clubs, the Thomaston Lions Club and Thomaston Kiwanis Club. The Lions Club named him the “Gordon Holstun Lion of the Year” for 1972-73. He was a faithful member of the Kiwanis Club for over 43 years, representing the club with distinction as club President and as Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor.

He was named a “George Hixson Fellow” because of his contributions to the club and community. He meant so much to club members that they raised $1000 to give him Kiwanis’ highest award. He was recognized for his 43 years of service in 2023. A fellow Kiwanian, in his tribute, said, “ Lynwood works all the time; he is rarely still. He is always here, for every project and every event whether it is serving pancakes, spreading pine straw with the Key Club, setting up the room for the meeting, or cleaning afterward.”

Funeral services for Lynwood will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at 11:00 AM, at First Baptist Church of Thomaston. Rev. Bill Barber and Rev. Bryan McPherson will officiate, and interment will follow at South View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home.

For those who wish to do so, please make memorial contributions to the “Pass the Salt” ministry at First Baptist Church, 208 S. Church Street, Thomaston, Georgia 30286.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is honored to serve the Pressley family. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.