Willie Randolph “Randy” Pelham, 71, of Flagler Estates peacefully transitioned at home on Sunday June 12th surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 15, 1951, to the late Arthur and Annie Mae Mills Pelham in Gainesville, Fla. He was educated in the Clay and Putnam County school system and graduated from Interlachen High school Class of 1969. He then entered active service with the United States Navy on March 17, 1970 and was honorably discharged on Jan 22, 1976. After his military service he attended the University of Fla and the University of Central Florida. Randy was employed by the Florida Department of Corrections for 26 years with most of this time at Tomoka Correctional Institution in Daytona Beach, Fla where he obtained the rank of Major. At an early age, he became a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Melrose, Fla where he served faithfully. He was ordained a Deacon under the leadership of his beloved pastor, Rev. Alvin Oliver.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, James “Jim” Pelham, sister, Edna Pelham Perry and his beloved daughter Lashaundra Nicole Pelham.
In 1978, he met the love of his life, Deborah Hardy and together they raised five children. He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Deborah Pelham of Hastings, Fla; children, son, Terrell Boyd (Easley SC); daughters, Randi (Jomo) Forbes, (Orlando, Fla), April Pelham (Tallahassee, Fla), Chastity Pelham (Orlando, Fla); grandchildren, Ari Michelle Dorsey and Ja’Mya Forbes (Tallahassee, Fla), Jaise and Jaiden Forbes (Orlando, Fla), Aspen Palmer Dinkins (Easley, SC). His granddog, Remy Pelham; brothers, Edgar Pelham (Albany, Ga), Solomon (Cassandra) Pelham (El Paso, Texas), Rev. Gregory (Valerie) Pelham Sr. (Alachua, Fla); sisters, Lettie Mae Anderson and Frances McGinnis (Melrose, Fla); mother-in-law, Mary Adkison Williams (Federal Point, Fla); father-in-law, William (Loretta) Hardy (Palatka, Fla); sisters-in-laws, Omia Pelham (El Paso, Tx), Flora (Isaac) Beauford (Federal Point, Fla), Cynthia Allen (Jacksonville, Fla), Pamela Brooks (Federal Point, Fla); brothers-in-laws, Gerald (Christine) Hardy, (Jacksonville, Fla), William Bernard Hardy (East Palatka, Fla), Kenneth Hardy (Hastings, Fla) and Marlon Hardy (Glen Burnie, MD), Lorenzo (Altheia) Holcy (Houston, Texas), Johnnie Holcy (Palatka, Fla); his lifelong best friend and brother, Jimmie (Gwen) Williams, (Gainesville, Fla); Godchildren, Kenneth Hardy Jr. (North Carolina) and Jakesha Prince (Palatka, Fla); A cherished friend and forever sister, Sandra Oliver Pelham. He also leaves a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
The Family will receive extended family and friends on Friday, June 17, 2022, St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church in Melrose, FL (540 County Rd 219) from 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m. The Homegoing Celebration will be 1:00p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2022, The Lord’s Temple City of Refuge.
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