Melinda Brown

Funeral services for Melinda Gayle (McIlwain) Brown age 61 of Columbia will be held 10:00 AM Thursday January 2, 2014 from the Columbia chapel of Riser Funeral Home with the Rev. Warren Maxwell officiating. Interment will follow in the Sardis Cemetery just south of Winnfield, LA. Visitation will be on Wednesday January 1, 2014 at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Melinda Gayle (McIlwain) Brown was born on November 9, 1952 at Columbia, LA to the union of her parents, George William McIlwain, Sr. and Doris Faye (Rice) McIlwain. She passed from this life on Monday December 30, 2013 at her residence following a brief illness. Melinda was a member of the Columbia Heights Baptist Church where she also served as organist for many years. She was preceded in death by her father and by her brother George William McIlwain, Jr. Melinda was also service representative for Hallmark Greeting Cards at several local stores. Survivors include: Her beloved mother: Doris R. McIlwain of Columbia, two aunts: Gloria Hickey and Betty Myers both of Winnfield; two uncles: Rex Rice of Winnfield and Roland Rice of Thayne, Wyoming; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Pallbearers include: Gene Dupree, Stan Harris, Tommy Greene, Waymond Calhoun, Steven E. May, and Don Davis. Online registry/condolences: riserfuneralhomes.com