Darlene Melvin

(October 28, 1929 â€" August 19, 2016)

Darlene Melvin, of Englewood, Florida, died on August 19, 2016 from a massive stroke suffered on August 16.

Born in Napoleon, Michigan on October 28, 1929, to Ezra and Ruth Eby, Darlene was a talented athlete and musician at Napoleon High School. She attended Taylor University, Upland, Indiana, and she and her husband, Billy Melvin, spent their lives together in Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia, Nashville, Tennessee, Wheaton, Illinois, and Englewood, Florida.

She met her soul mate, Billy, at Taylor University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Literature, minoring in French with the intent of becoming an overseas missionary. God called her, however, to the Gospel ministry in her local church and community where she served faithfully by the side of her husband as he first pastored churches and later served in leadership for the National Association of Free Will Baptists (1959 â€" 1967) and the National Association of Evangelicals (1967 â€" 1995). In response to the surge of Southeast Asian and Cuban refugees in the 1970s, Darlene provided a myriad of helpful services to families escaping war and oppression. She said she had finally become a missionary because the world had come to her.

Many people benefited from her love of music. She taught piano lessons, accompanied choirs and singers at church and played the vibraharp, an instrument she taught herself to play. For decades, she tirelessly organized musical Christmas and Easter programs and later senior programs, encouraging the young and the old to use their talents for the glory of God.

Darlene’s appeal to children is legendary. Whether neighborhood children, children at church or her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, they knew a woman who cared and understood their special needs. Even at age 86, Darlene was still helping children laugh, learn and play with her sensitivity and enthusiasm.

A true friend to seniors, Darlene offered many a helping hand. Playing board games, offering holiday meals, rides to social and church events, phone calls, visits to the hospital, rehabilitation or nursing home were routine activities for her. Her compassion eased many lives.

Darlene’s skill with flowers and plants is evident around her lawn, lanai and home. When not cultivating her yard, she enjoyed reading, swimming, bowling, and documenting her family history.

She is survived by her husband, Billy A. Melvin, her sister, Dorothy Jedele, two children, Deborah (Lanny) Penwell, Daniel (Theresa Litavsky) Melvin, eight grandchildren, Cameron (Yuko) Penwell, Carlyn Penwell, Connor Penwell, Alicia Carney, Kathryn Carney, Dylan Melvin, Phoenix Melvin and Lili Melvin, three great grandchildren, Claire, William and Lawrence Penwell.

She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.