Melva Kendall Lingerfelt, age 96, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on May 20, 2021, surrounded by family. Melva was born in Kokomo, Indiana to James Avery and Ruth Berry Kendall, the fourth born of their twelve children. Moving to Dawson County, Georgia at the age of two, Melva graduated from Dawson County High School as valedictorian of her senior class and was subsequently afforded the opportunity by one of her teachers to attend North Georgia College (a two-year college at the time), where she received her Associate’s Degree. In March 1946, Melva married her longtime sweetheart, Cecil Lingerfelt, who preceded her in death in 2010. Melva was a loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and lifelong Baptist. She truly and genuinely loved and cared for people, especially her family. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Melva worked for the Provost Marshall’s Office at Fort McPherson, retiring in 1984 after 30+ years of service, and receiving many accolades for outstanding service throughout her career. She was an excellent seamstress, vegetable gardener, avid reader, and loved to work crossword puzzles. After retirement, her hands were rarely still as she always had some sort of ongoing project, whether it was sewing, painting or wallpapering the inside of the house, or working in her yard.
Melva was preceded in death by her husband, her mother and father, her seven brothers (Johnny, Paul, DeVaughn, Bobby, Lamar, Buddy, and Elden), and four sisters (LaVerne, Marie, Thelma, and Bernice). She is survived by her children, Rick Lingerfelt of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Elaine (Donnie) Lewis of Canton, Georgia, her two grandchildren, Amanda (Erik) Stoddard of Woodstock, Georgia and Katherine (Billy) Bragg of Woodstock, Georgia, and four great-grandchildren, Eli Stoddard, Willa Bragg, Edwin Stoddard, and Poppy Bragg. She is also survived by four sisters-in-law, Martha Kendall, Betty Kendall, Ruby Kendall, and Sherry Kendall, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lakeside Funeral Home, 121 Claremore Drive, Woodstock, Georgia. Interment will take place on Monday, June 7, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Georgia National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should plan to meet at Lakeside Funeral Home no later than 8:45 a.m. to proceed to the cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of Lakeside Funeral Home. Lunch will be served afterward.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that sympathy donations be made in Melva’s name to Wreaths Across America, the American Cancer Society, or your local humane society.
Lastly, the family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Ridge Woodstock and the staff at Capstone Hospice for the love and wonderful care provided to Melva during the past almost three years. The family is also very grateful for the loving care provided by Lakeside Funeral Home.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.LakesideFuneralHomeGa.com.
Lakeside Funeral Home, 121 Claremore Drive, Woodstock, Georgia, ph. 770-293-2757, is honored to assist Mrs. Lingerfelt's family.
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