THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505200115
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Heaven must have grafted the family tree belonging to the Rev. T. Melvin Steele.
On almost any branch, you're likely to find a church minister.
Steele's grandfather was a preacher. Two of his uncles were preachers. Steele is a preacher. And his two sons are preachers.
Last week, Steele celebrated his 40-year anniversary as pastor of New First Baptist Church Taylorsville.
``This is my first church,'' said Steele of the church at 2720 Turnpike Road that also celebrated its 90th anniversary.
``I did serve in the afternoon at another church, but I still held on to New First Baptist.''
Steele succeeded the Rev. William Roberts, the church's founding minister, and has been there ever since.
``It's been a pleasure, a dynamic pleasure,'' said Steele, who started in 1955.
Prior to becoming a minister, Steele served in the Navy as a steward for four years in the 1940s. He also worked in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for 15 years as a clerk in the administration department.
Steele moved to Portsmouth in 1946. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for 48 years. Their first date was a memorable one for Steele.
``I invited her to go with me to Walker's Grill to have a Coca-Cola,'' he said. ``And we just went from there.''
In Steele's 40 years with New First Baptist, his ministry has made quite an impact on the community.
``We have an outreach ministry, a clothes closet, we assist the hungry every Wednesday with free lunches, we send new clothes to a children's home in Petersburg. . .
``We have a tutoring program in our church to help the slower students . . right or if they're coming out tonight . . . ,'' he said.
Steele attributes his personal strengths as a minister to the upbringing he received from his grandmother.
``My parents died when I was 4 and 6, and I came up in a very strict Christian home,'' he said.
Steele's mother died first of complications from low blood pressure.
``My mother died at church singing,'' said Steele. ``She had been sick, but that Sunday she went to church.
``And while she was singing `Goodbye World, I Am Gone,' they said she got emotional. And in a shout, she just fell right back in her brother's arms, and that was it.''
Steele and his wife have three children, Tommy, Dwight and Michelle. In his spare time, Steele likes to read, play horseshoes and shoot pool. He also likes watching basketball and baseball.
Name: Thomas Melvin Steele
Nickname: ``Dick'' or ``Tip''
Neighborhood: Grew up in Mangum, N.C., but now lives in the 2000 block of Piedmont Ave.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 50
Birthplace: Mount Gilead, N.C.
Occupation: Minister/pastor
What other job than your own would you like? Pharmacist
Marital Status: Married to the former Elizabeth Wood
Children: Three
Fondest childhood memory: Eating Grandma's jelly
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? I'm satisfied being me.
Most embarrassing moment: Looking for my glasses and had them on
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Nothing
Perfect way to spend the day: Meditating
I can't resist: Pie a la mode
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: The Circle
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Church
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Unemployment and shopping areas
If you had a single wish for Portsmouth, what would it be? Everybody had Jesus
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Its family atmosphere ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB