Melvin Tibbs "Bud" Rollins departed this life on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on February 6, 1937, in Fredericksburg, VA, to the late William Tibbs and Laura Coleman Rollins.

Melvin initially gave his life to the Lord at an early age and was baptized at Second New Hope Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Lloyd Price. He graduated from John J. Wright Consolidated School in 1953. On April 2, 1956, he joined the United States Air Force. While stationed in Pensacola, FL, he met Lilli Ruth, a young elementary school teacher, who would become his wife for almost 20 years. A little more than a year after their 1967 wedding, Melvin and Lilli started a family, welcoming their first child, Ryan Delano, on July 12, 1968. These early years in Pensacola were joyful for the young family, and Lilli was soon expecting another baby. Before the new baby arrived, Melvin was sent to Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, CA. Lilli stayed behind for a few months until she delivered Melody Shaye at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL, on May 19, 1972. Within a couple of months, Lilli, her mother Clara, and the two kids were off to California. However, in the meantime, Melvin had been placed on active duty in Alaska. It would be almost a year before he met baby Melody, whom he incorrectly predicted would be a boy.

In California, Melvin made lifelong friends on Hamilton Air Force Base, including James Bates, Joe Roberts, Dr. Roscoe Byrd, Al Evans, and James Paul. In total, Melvin served in the military for "20 years, one month, and 29 days." His travels took him around the world, including tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam, where he sustained a combat-related back injury. After retiring from the military, the family moved off the base into their home in the beautiful Ignacio neighborhood of Novato, CA, where Ryan and Melody completed their primary education. Melvin began working for the Golden Gate Transit while continuing his education part-time at Marin Community College. After earning his associate's degree, he began an engineering role at the Honeywell Corporation, retiring for the second time in 1988. At that point, Melvin returned to his hometown of Fredericksburg, where he lived near his dear family until his death. Even though he left California, the 49ers remained his favorite sports team, and he was a die-hard fan until the end.

Melvin always had a serious passion for golf. When he returned to Fredericksburg in retirement, he became a Starter at Lee's Hill Golf Club, where he worked for 10-plus years. During those years, he played as many as 36 holes a day. He loved to read - he would read the Washington Post and The Free Lance Star back-to-back every day. He also loved crossword puzzles and word games - no one could beat him at Jeopardy! Evolving with the times, Melvin also became a master of "Words with Friends" on his phone, nurturing a competitive community of friends across the country. In his final years, Melvin was blessed to connect with a daughter, Melani Quarles, born in Madison, WI, in 1962, after he had been reassigned away from his post there.

Melvin leaves to cherish his memories, son Ryan Rollins, Sr. (LaToya), of Fairfield, CA; two daughters, Melody Rollins Downes, of Westport, CT, and Melani Quarles, of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Jasmine Walker (Mike), Johanna Jenkins (Maurice), Mykhaela Rollins, Ryan Rollins Jr., Lucas Downes, Camille Downes, and Kenneth House, Jr.; six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Evelyn R. Montague, Claudia R. Bayless, and Margaret R. "Bebe" Jones; and one brother, Lewis "Luco" Rollins. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins; a host of other relatives; and the best of friends.

In addition to his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by four brothers, William "Bill," Emanuel "Pye," Allen "A.D.," and Leonard "Jack" Rollins; a sister, Mamie Rollins Montague; and a son-in-law, Quintano "Q" Downes.

A memorial service will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22408, on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The inurnment will follow at Mt. Lawn Cemetery, 9316 Woodford Road, Woodford, VA, 22580.