Our dear, sweet Melinda passed from this world earlier this evening. She was surrounded by your prayers and lots of family and friends at the hospital. I cannot believe that I am delivering this news, but I know that God is taking care of her now. I know many of you are hurting as you read this, I don't know what to say other than we are all blessed and better for knowing her. We will all miss her spunk, her wit, her smile, her kindness, and her love.
Please continue to remember Mark, the kids, and the rest of their family in your prayers. They face a hard road, but they know they have all of our support.
We will post details as soon as we find out what her arrangements will be.
Goodbye, Melinda. We love you and we miss you.
16 comments:
I am so saddend to read the news of Melinda's passing. I know she must have been a wonderful mother, friend, daughter, and wife. I am Marli's teacher and did not get to meet Melinda but I see how precious she was through her beautiful daughter. Marli is a bright, tender-hearted, little girl that has touched me so much in the four days I have known her. My prayers are with the family. If there is anything that the family needs, please let me know. We will take very good care of Marli at Fisher. I will pray for guidence in meeting her needs this year. Thank you for the blogs.
Liz Flores
The song Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns says how I feel:
"I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And TAKES AWAY
I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and TAKES AWAY
I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands for You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of Heaven and Earth"
My heart goes out to Melinda's family and friends. Especially Marli, who was my precious angel in Kindergarten. She has continued to hold her head up with a smile every day since school has started. Please know that we will guide Marli with a loving heart each day at Fisher, just as Melinda would have wanted. As a teacher, Melinda was a true partner in education and a great friend. She was always willing to help and volunteered to help with PTA this year (she was so excited!). I feel so blessed just knowing this family and what they have shown me through the past year. My God keep you close and bless you all.
Chasity and Pam, thank you so much for keeping us updated. You are a blessing to all her friends. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Tresa Bowmaker
Mark,
If you get this, my heart is crying for you brother. What a great loss on this earth and a blessing arrival se is in thrugh God's gates with out Heavenly Father. As a Chrstian or a minister, i can NOT express God's love as sweetly and gracefully as Melinda did wirh her life. Her love for you Mark, her children and for people will live on forever through us who were blessed enough to know her. words can not express this great loss... Her loving spirit will live through those who have been touched by her and i will never forget her homemade macaroni and cheese with tuna ;.)
Our most precious heavenly Father. Your love is never ending. You're my sustaining comforter. Your faithfulness to clear and calm my frustration is new every morning.
Dear God, Thank you for Melinda's life.
I Loved Melinda God! My heart is ripped apart with grief for those she loved, and nurtured.
Her body went through so much during her short life! By your grace, she loved three blessed children into existence and I praise you for them. Their lives could light a cathedral.
She gave her life to a wonderful man; encouraged him, loved him, supported him. His leadership and light is so strong. I praise you God, for the strength she nurtured in him.
And now after her noble battle, her body has been given over to your promise that we are children of light. Her leaving, like her living, leads us back to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She leaves me to trust, through a throat choking back sobs, and tears that burn, that on one Sunday, Jesus defeated the pain and fear of death for me.
I loved Melinda so much, I MUST believe what you said is true. And this is not just a back up plan to make me feel better. Because right now my faith doesn't make me feel better. I trust while I ache.
I know your words and plan are true, because I read your Holy Scripture, and know the evidence that remains that proves the victory Chrisitans have in Jesus. I know your words and plan are true because I have witnessed Melinda live under your power and beauty.
God, please comfort my brothers and sisters. Like you have done for a host of saints before us.
We need what you gave the disciples that Saturday morning thousands of years ago. We are weak, tired, confused, broken-hearted. Give us the strength to grieve our loss, and trust in your eternal goodness at the same time.
Through your son Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen.
I am just devastated! I was Marli's homeroom mom last year in kindergarten and became to know and love her and her family. My son Ryan and her became good friends and he is very sad. The Evans have been in our thoughts and prayers all along and we will continue to pray through this very sad time. Please pass this along to Mark and let him know that our family can help in any way. I would love to bring a meal or two. I am up at Fisher everyday so I can help with the kids at anytime. We live in the neighborhood behind them so we are very close by. Again the Evans and their extended family are in our thoughts and prayers. Please know that we will never forget Melinda, she touched everyone with her great big smile and heart!
Kim Schuff
As a member of Alameda, I know Melinda - not personally, but through the kind words of many. I've prayed for her many times; during her struggles with breast cancer, blessings after her recovery, and recently with her health battles. I will continue to pray for Mark and the children, and the magnitude of those grieving her loss. For reasons we may never understand, God has chosen to bring Melinda home. But we must remember to trust in our God and not let our faith falter during this time of great loss. Melinda is at peace, no more suffering, and in a place we all long to be someday.
I know Mark and the kids have a very tough time ahead - but I also know first hand the strength, love, caring, and selfishness that pours from the hearts of the Alameda Family.
Blessings and Prayers,
Jennifer Shaver
May His unfailing love be your comfort, according to His promises (Psalm 119:76), Mark, family, and friends.
We pray that He will carry you all through these next hours, days, weeks, months, years... granting you peace, strength, comfort, love, understanding, and many treasured memories of your truly incredible Melinda. Thank you for sharing her with us!
-- Michelle Gentry, Alex, Ryan, and Eli Webb
My heart breaks for Mark, their children and so many friends and family that are struggling deeply in the wake of such a huge loss. Mark, Melinda and I were all freshmen together at OU. Though we hadn't kept up in recent years, I remember well her kind heart and encouraging spirit. She was a blessing in my life, as well as the lives of countless others. More than anyone else I know, Melinda embodied the gift of preaching the gospel while using few or no words.
Mario Tobias
I am truly devastated by the news of Melinda's passing this weekend. Melinda was my dearest friend in high school, and although we hadn't been in touch since college, I remember her, the beauty of who she was, and the joy of our friendship so vividly like it was yesterday. She was an amazing woman, and there is no one like Melinda. Mark was a good friend as well, and my prayers go out for both the Evans and Watters families. I pray for the overwhelming comfort and peace of God to rest on you all each day. I love you all.
Carol Pettigrew (Bui)
My heart is breaking for Mark and the kids... I have been praying continually for them since hearing the news of Melinda's passing. It is hard to believe it is real. Mark, Melinda and I were friends at OU. I see many other "outreach" guys here. She touched us all with her kindness and big smile! I will never forget her even know as she is playing soccer in the fields of heaven!
Jill Cooper (Welch)
jjhzcooper@gmail.com
My heart grieves for Mark, my nephew. My admiration for him and Melinda knows no bounds. I was in awe of them both. I am proud to be their Uncle Bruce.
My heart hurts today as I remember Melinda. My thoughts and prayers go out to each and every one of her family members. Melinda, Mike, my brother (Brad) and I grew up together. We all attended Osage Hills and we were always at each others house on the weekends whether it was riding motorcycles or playing basketball. She was a great friend with such a big caring heart and a great smile. Please know that I am praying for the Evans/Watters family. I am very blessed to have known Melinda and I cherish the memories that we made. If there is anything at all that I can do, please let me know.
God Bless,
Summer Warwick
I WAS SO SHOCKED TO HEAR THIS SAD NEWS ABOUT MELINDA AND I HAVE HAD HER ON MY MIND FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND WANTED TO SAY HOW SORRY I AM FOR HER KIDS AND HUSBAND, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THEY MUST BE GOING THROUGH AND THEIR ARE NO WORDS TO SAY, TO MAKE IT EASIER. I KNEW MELINDA THROUGH FLC AT FIRST BAPTIST MOORE. SHE WAS MY SUB A FEW TIMES AND I WAS SO AMAZED BY HER LOVING WAY AND HOW SHE WAS WITH THE CLASS. SHE HAD SUCH A GENTLE SOUL AND I LIKED HER ALOT AS I GOT TO KNOW HER AND HOLD HER LITTLEST ONE MANNING IN THE HALLS LAST YEAR. WHAT A SWEET BABY BOY. SHE WAS A GREAT MOM AND I KNEW SHE LOVED HER KIDS. I WILL MISS YOU TO AND ONLY WISH I HAD MORE TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOU. I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND HOW SPECIAL YOU REALLY WERE, SINCE I HAVE BEEN READING THIS BLOG YOUR FRIENDS HAVE MADE. I WILL PRAY FOR HER KIDS AND HUSBAND EVERY DAY. WE WILL MISS YOU GIRL!!!! DEBI MC.
Mark
I recently heard about Melinda's passing. My prayers are with you and your family. Melinda had a heart of gold and a smile that could light up the room. May God continue to keep his hand over you and your family, and know that there are so many people out there praying for you.
Mike Cross
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