Melva J. Gantt - Obituary

elva J. Gantt, 82, a four-year resident of Edgewater, Maryland and previously of the Forestville and Landover areas of Maryland, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Annapolis, Maryland after a brief illness. She was born on February 26, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Melvin H. and Orpha O. Renner. Melva worked as a jewelry store manager for Kay Jewelers and Zales for over 40 years. Melva’s interests included dancing, watching sports, and listening to Doo-Wop, but she especially enjoyed taking trips with her friends from the South County Senior Center. She thoroughly enjoyed visits and reunions with her Donaldson, Ramsey, and Gantt families. Melva was a devoted pet parent and loved her dogs. In addition to her parents, Melva was preceded in death by her grandson, Nick Clayton. She is survived by her children, Sharin Brown and her husband Keith Tackett of Gates, NC, Tammy Barlow and her husband Ernie of Chesapeake, VA, Donna Smith and her husband Steve of Edgewater, MD, and Kenny Clayton of Baltimore, MD; her siblings, James Renner and his wife Alice of Coco Beach, FL, Garland Fisher and his wife Linda of Douglassville, PA, and Connie Caddington and her beloved brother-in-law Ward Caddington. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Richard Smith, Jeremy (Kate) Barlow, Jaysen (Emily) Barlow, Christopher Brown, and Keri Throckmorton; her great-grandchildren, Christina, Lindsey, Tyler, Steven, Sadie, and Kayden; her great-great-grandson, Hayes; and her nieces and nephews, Erica, Amy, Zachary, and Christopher. She is also survived and loved by many longtime friends, including Merrijeanne Mulligan and Kathryn Coursey. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Melva’s life on Saturday, February 21, at 1 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the South County Senior Center, 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater, MD 21037.