Coping with Grief
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Donna Marie Melton
September 22, 1955 ~ November 30, 2020
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am." ~John 14:1-3 NIV
Donna Marie Melton was born Thursday, September 22, 1955 in Norfolk, VA. With her life devoted to serving God and of being an obedient steward, she entered into eternal rest on Monday, November 30, 2020, knowing that God would redeem her life from the grave, and surely take her to Him. ~Psalms 49:15 NIV
Donna, the eldest of six to the late Elder Larry Melton, Sr. and Ruby Moore of Raleigh, NC, is survived by her brothers Larry Melton, Jr. (Jenny), Wayne K. Melton (Annie), and Maurice A. Melton (Jocelyn). She was preceded in death by her two younger brothers, Thomas M. Melton (Nadia) and Lloyd M. Melton.
Having moved to Anchorage, AK with her family, Donna attended East Anchorage High School. She was also a member of Antioch Church of God in Christ where she submitted her life to God. She was an active member in the church choir, lending her beautiful voice that touched so many.
As an author and founder/Pastor of Feed My Sheep Intl. Ministries, Donna was devoted to helping the downtrodden and spreading the Word of God. Donna served many missions helping to raise monies, clothing, and food donations to community members. She held a weekly prayer line that individuals were able to call to receive the Word, prayer, and encouragement. Donna passed no judgement. For she too had overcome difficult times in her life. When she shared her story, she was also sharing her testimony.
Donna was loved dearly, especially by her family. Though she departed from us physically, we know that she will always be in our hearts. We will miss her smile. We will miss her touch. We will miss her love. We will miss Donna. As a woman of faith, we are comforted in knowing that she has entered into eternal rest with her Savior and that her name has been written.
A Letter to My Family
To my mother, I love more than you know. You and I shared a number of things. You are the matriarch of our family, and the strength that we need to get through. You have always been strong and rarely allowed anyone to see you otherwise. Like most children are with their parents, they rebel. God gave me the opportunity to make my wrongs, right. I thank God for that. I thank God most because I was obedient to His word and in the end, He said job well done. I know that I will see you again. I love you Mama.
To my brothers, I Love You. My dearest brothers, I loved you all as only a big sister could. You are all, including Thomas and Lloyd, my baby brothers. We laughed. We cried. We fought. We loved. We even tried our hand at being a band together. But in the end, we prayed together and for one another. Our conversations became fruitful. Our delight was in God. His word manifested itself in each of us and what we did once before, was no more. We were forgiven.
Thomas and Lloyd left us first. Like you, I was full of grief, hurt, and much pain. Now, my turn has come. Take solace in knowing that all is forgiven and know that I am now with my baby brothers.
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” ~Psalms 145:17-19 NIV
Joy Will Replace Sorrow
“So, with you: Now is your time to grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take your joy.” ~John 16:22 NIV
To my children, LaRhonda M. Wynne (Eric), Larry C. Tunley (Margret), Kenisha C. Tunley, Ruby N. Tunley, and Ewona D. Harris, each of you brought an unspeakable joy to my heart. You all are my babies. I covered you in prayer. I petitioned God for your safety. I petitioned God each day of your lives that you would become the persons that He designed you to be.
“The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.”
~Proverbs 20:7 NIV
Although I am gone in the flesh, I am still here in memory. Hold on to all that is good in you and in your memory of me. All of my worldly possessions, just know that each item you touch, you will be touching me and I you. Words cannot explain the amount of love and pride that I have in each of you. Each of you are different, but my love remains the same. Know that joy will replace the sorrow. With an immeasurable amount of unconditional love, I love you.
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
~Proverbs 17:6 NIV
To my grandchildren, Sataunya L. Jefferies (Jonathan), Erica M. Tice (James), Courtnei J. Greer, Eric D. Wynne, Makeda Perry-Harris, Brenae L. McDade, Trinity J. Harris, Zipporah T. Logan, Kasaydra Seeganna and Kelly Seeganna, grandma Donna loves you too! Although I am now gone and unable to wrap you up with warm hugs and kisses, know that you are loved. Each of you are my children’s children and the love that I have for them, overflows to you. Continue being strong. Continue doing what is righteous. Know that when I covered your parents in prayer, that I also covered you.
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.” ~Psalms 103:17 NIV
To my aunts, uncles, and cousins, Thank You. It may or may not have been said to you. You covered me. You covered me in prayer, with love, with conversation—although sometimes unpleasant, you covered me. You gave me strength when I needed it, you gave me hope when I felt helpless, and you gave me unconditional love. Some of you also covered my children. That covering of prayer, protection and petition was what they needed most. You covered them in my life, and I ask that you cover them in my death.
The New Heaven, The New Earth
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…He said to me “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” ~Revelation 21:3-4, 6-7 NIV
As I leave this flesh, know that my journey is complete. Until we meet again.
~Donna
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