Melinda Louise Millican Zolzer

Melinda Louise Millican Zolzer passed away May 21, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Ruston, Louisiana on October 1, 1950, the oldest surviving daughter of Bill and Rose Millican. By her second birthday, the family had been joined by her sister Suzie and was living in Little Rock, Arkansas where 3 more sisters, Becky, Marianne, and Robyn were born. After high school, Melinda joined the US Air Force in the spring of 1970. Training assignments at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas and Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas were followed by 3 and a half years at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, Louisiana, 15 months at Clark AB in the Philippines. Her final active duty assignment was at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she was among those who welcomed the first class of cadets to include women. While at the Air Force Academy, she met and married David Zolzer; so, in 1978, she made the transition from service member to service wife. She followed David to his next assignments at Gunter AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, Kelly AFB, in San Antonio, Texas, RAF Bentwaters in the United Kingdom, and, finally, Brooks AFB back in San Antonio, Texas. After David’s retirement from the Air Force, they spent a further 10 years in San Antonio before moving to Natchitoches, Louisiana which became their final home together. Melinda was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Rose Millican, and her sisters, Diane and Becky. She is survived by her husband David, stepchildren Michelle Phillips and Kris Cooper (Amanda), sisters, Suzie Whiting, Marianne (Brian) McMillan, Robyn (Denby) Roberts, sister-in-law, Carol (Leal) Cason. 6 step-grandchildren, 5 step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved the church family she found at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches as dearly as she loved her physical family and was forever grateful to God and to the members of the congregation for allowing her to serve that church for so many years. The family would like to thank Hospice of Natchitoches for their compassion and care during such a difficult time. A memorial mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 pm Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Trinity Episcopal Church of Natchitoches with Rev. Suzanne Wolfenbarger serving as celebrant. Entombment in the Trinity Episcopal columbarium will follow the Mass. The family will receive friends from 12 pm until 2 pm on Saturday the 27th at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 533 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Trinity Episcopal Church or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.