Norma Collier Melder

A service to celebrate the life of Norma Collier Melder will be at 11 am Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches with Rev. Lee Dickson will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery of Natchitoches. The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 8 pm on Friday, January 8, 2016 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches and again on Saturday the 9th from 10 am until service time at the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches, located at 508 2nd Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457. Norma Collier Melder, 71, made her journey to Heaven on 5 January 2016 after a valiant battle. Her devotion to family, education, animals, and firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Norma Collier Melder was born to the late Harold and Norma Wells Collier, a business man and homemaker respectively, in Natchitoches, Louisiana on September 16, 1944. She was immersed in the education of others from an early age, which would become her life’s passion. Norma Collier Melder was dedicated to her relationship with the Lord and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She also attended First United Methodist Church from an early age with her father. Norma Collier Melder graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1962. She continued her education at Northwestern State College (now University), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science in Education degree. During her time at NSU, she was also a member of Tri Sigma Sorority. Upon graduation, Norma Collier Melder began her teaching career at Ashland High School in 1965. From there she continued to teach and mentor students at NSU, Goldonna High School, Natchitoches Central High School, the 9th Grade Center, and Red River High School. Norma was clearly devoted to programs in and around the education system and also had a passion for writing, cooking, and a love for playing music throughout her life. Norma Collier Melder was unique, fun loving, and had a huge heart. She was kind and soft-spoken, and always took the time to make sure everyone had a smile. She loved to tell the story about teaching 9th grade Home Economics class where her students were all boys, and they filled the classroom with laughter and joy learning to cook. When Norma picked up painting as a hobby, she would sit outside and paint sailboats, hundreds of miles from the sea. Her home was filled with music, both her own piano and banjo playing or the sounds of James Taylor. She made everything around her feel beautiful with her bright smile, her turquoise jewelry, and her easy laugh. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator; all the people whose lives she influenced know just how much Norma made a wonderful difference to our community. Norma Collier Melder is survived by her daughter, Melissa Melder Reese and husband Joey of Huntsville, Alabama; two sons, Jeremy Harold Melder and wife Natasha of Woodworth, Louisiana and Christopher Joseph Melder and wife Lacy of Dodson, Louisiana; six grandchildren, Collier Joseph Reese and Ainsley Elizabeth Reese of Huntsville, AL, Mason Harold Melder of Woodworth, LA, Beau Brian Canter Jr, Joelie Belle Canter, and Parker Leigh Melder of Dodson, LA, and her lifelong friend Tommy Doyle Grafton. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Norma Collier, and father of her children, Harold W. Melder. Those honored to be pallbearers will be Jeremy Melder, Chris Melder, Joey Reese, Mark Melder, Michael Melder, Mitchell Melder, Tommy Melder, Jeremy Dunn, Mathew Dunn, and Don Wells. Honorary pallbearers will be Collier Reese, Mason Melder and Beau Canter, Jr. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a contribution to: Natchitoches Hope for Paws P.O. Box 2552 Natchitoches, LA 71457 www.natchitocheshopeforpaws.org