Melvin Fred Dement

Melvin Fred "Buddy" Dement, 85, of Groves, Texas passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2013. Melvin was born February 25, 1927 in Burton, Texas to Fred Alex Dement and Mattie Belle Stanley Dement. He was resident of the Groves area most of his life and longtime member of Woodcrest Baptist Church. He retired from Texaco refinery as a training supervisor after 30 years of service and was also a U.S. Army World War II veteran. Melvin was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Birdie Ethel Holmes Dement; and sister Mildred Driggers. Survivors include four daughters, Neva Gwyn Taylor and husband, Dr. Zack Taylor of San Antonio, TX, Gayle Leavins and husband Dr. Jerry Leavins of Vidor, TX, Marion West and husband Steve West of Round Rock, TX, Casey Garcia and husband John Garcia of Cleveland, TX; two sons, Dannie Byram Dement and wife Sandy Dement of Nevada, TX, James Baxter Dement and wife Laurie Dement of Sand Springs, OK; two sisters, Willie Belle O'Brien and husband Charles O'Brien of Nederland, TX, Frances Jean Weaver and husband Harold Weaver of Port Arthur, Texas; two brothers, Marvin Dement and wife Shirley Dement of Groves, TX, Bruce Dement and wife Helen Dement of Roanoke, TX; twenty grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. A visitation for family and friends will be from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves followed by a Military Honors Graveside service at 11:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland with Reverend Jim Durdin and Deacon Gene Venable officiating. Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to: Gideon's International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214