A steady stream of mourners - from everyday citizens to the state's top leaders - paid their respects Monday to Mayor Frank Melton, whose flag-draped casket lay in repose at City Hall for much of the afternoon.
"Today is a sad day," said former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, who paid his respects with his wife, Melody. "Frank had a heart for young people. He loved Jackson. He loved Mississippi. That just always came through. I think that his spirit of caring for and trying to help people will be what will endure."
Musgrove appointed Melton to head the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics in 2002. Melton was let go by Gov. Haley Barbour when he took over.
More memories will be shared today during a memorial service at Thalia Mara Hall. The program will feature a homily by Rep. Jim Evans, an invocation and benediction by Rev. Charles Polk and musical performances from the Mississippi Mass Choir, Jackson Southernaires, Jesse Primer III and the Williams Brothers.
Melton died Thursday at St. Dominic Hospital, having been rushed there by ambulance Tuesday just minutes after the polls closed in the Democratic primary. He had been running for a second term in office but came in third among 10 Democrats.
Melton had chronic heart problems but in recent weeks had indicated he was healthy enough to serve another term. He was 60.
In addition to Musgrove, Barbour and former Mayor Dale Danks also were at City Hall.
"I think it is very fitting for the city of Jackson and citizens to express their condolences and pay their respects," Danks said. "I sure will miss him, I'll tell you that."
Danks served as Melton's adviser and personal attorney through two criminal trials and a civil trial during Melton's tumultuous term as mayor. He said he and Melton disagreed at times, but he always considered him a friend.
Dozens of mourners lined the sidewalk outside City Hall before the doors opened.
Retired teacher Lorece Beddingfield was in line. She first met Melton in 1995, when he spoke at a career day at Yazoo City Middle School.
"He was just a nice man to admire. He was for the young folks, the senior citizens, the poor," she said. "He was just that type of man."
George Jones, owner of the private technical school Healthcare Institute, said he knew the mayor a little and admired his style.
"He was just full throttle all the way until his death," he said. "He was all in, all the time."
Inside, Melton's casket was placed under a portrait of the mayor and flanked by a Jackson Police Department honor guard.
City officials and photographers lined the twin staircases at the west end of the room as people filed by, sometimes pausing to snap a photo with their cell phone cameras.
One of the first through the doors at 11 a.m. was Marcus Wright, one of Melton's former police bodyguards.
Wright was indicted with Melton and fellow former bodyguard Michael Recio in July on federal civil rights charges related to a warrantless raid on a Ridgeway Street duplex in 2006.
Wright pleaded guilty in October to a reduced charge and testified against Melton and Recio in a February trial that ended in a mistrial when a jury failed to reach a verdict.
Wright said last week that Melton called him about a week before his death to check on him and tell him that he loved him.
Since Melton's death, City Council President Leslie Burl McLemore was chosen acting mayor.
Former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and Councilman Marshand Crisler will meet in a mayoral primary runoff on May 19. The winner will face five more candidates - four independents and one Republican - in the June 2 general election.
To comment on this story, call Chris Joyner at (601) 360-4619.
Clarion Ledger
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