MOBILE, Alabama- Mel Showers, a legendary, award-winning WKRG News 5 Anchor who broke racial barriers and worked at WKRG for almost 50 years passed away Saturday. He was 78 years old.

“Mel was a legend,” WKRG Vice President and General Manager Jesse Grear said. “He broke many barriers and won over the hearts and minds of every household on the Gulf Coast. God bless him and his entire family. He will be missed and always remembered.”

WKRG News 5 Anchor Rose Ann Haven shared the news desk with Mel for many years, and considered him more than a co-worker and friend. “He was my family, and that made me a better person. For that I am humbled, grateful and blessed,” said Haven. “Though a legend in the world of broadcasting, he set the tone in the newsroom with humility, kindness and fairness. To be in his presence was a gift…one that resonated with WKRG viewers for five decades. As heartbroken as I am today, I have peace knowing he is with his beloved wife, Linda, and their daughter, April, and his family will carry on his legacy.”

In 1969, Showers started working part-time at WKRG-TV as a booth announcer and became a full-time employee in 1970. He provided live station identification and read live commercials.

In 1974, Showers was named a “Newscenter 5” reporter. He covered racial inequity in Mobile’s police and fire departments, Hurricane Frederic in 1979, and the KKK lynching of 19-year-old Michael Donald in Mobile in 1981.

Through it all, Showers had said, he received unwavering support from the station and the Black community — and he had a strategy to win over everyone else.

On camera, he always kept a smile on his face, he told the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

“It started to catch on with the viewing public, (and) hate mail changed to fan mail,” he said.

Showers was named co-anchor of “Morning Newscenter 5” in 1981. In 1990, he began anchoring the evening newscasts at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

In 2016, Showers was inducted into the Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. His acceptance speech touched on his persistence during the early years when he experienced racial prejudice — but kept on smiling. His heartfelt acceptance speech earned him a standing ovation at the Birmingham ceremony.

In 2019, he received the National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of Distinction Award, and Haven covered the ceremony in Miami.

“In disbelief, almost,” Showers said, reacting to the honor. “But I’m thankful … this is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

WKRG News 5’s staff remembers Mel fondly.

“Our News 5 family has lost a legend. Mel Showers was humble, funny, strong-willed, and a role model for our newsroom. He was beloved by his viewers and his colleagues,” News 5 First Alert Storm Team Meteorologist John Nodar said. “He was also a gifted athlete, a reasonably good mechanic, and a dear friend. I’ll miss him very much.”

WKRG News 5 Anchor Devon Walsh said, “Words cannot express what a wonderful man Mel was. He was my first co-anchor and mentor. He treated everyone with respect. His legacy is kindness, professionalism, and always wanting to make sure what we reported was correct and unbiased. He cheered people on. He celebrated their success. His laugh….oh that laugh! He retired from WKRG after 50 years, and his memory set the foundation for the kind of work we do today.”

WKRG News 5 Anchor Chad Petri said Showers was, “a warm and kind man who was a blessing to our staff and our newsroom. Mel was a teacher and a comforting voice and guide. I’m sad to hear this, but I pray for peace for his family and his soul.”

“Mel was a true gentleman, journalist, broadcaster, and by breaking the barriers he did, a legend,” said WKRG News 5 Anchor Bill Riales. “I was always proud to say he was a friend and colleague. Rest in peace, Mel.

At this time, the Showers family “requests privacy and prayers.”

Funeral arrangements are being planned and will be made public when determined.