Delores Inez Melvin

Delores Inez Melvin, 77, passed away at home under the care of Georgia Hospice Care on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 surrounded by family and loved ones. 

She was a resident of Hinesville and Ludowici for over 40 years and retired from the Department of Defense as a Civil Servant employee for over 30 years with the Staff Judge Advocate office and her last few years she was the Executive Secretary for General Lloyd Austin who now serves as our countries Secretary of Defense. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, CSM (RET) Thomas J. Melvin, Sr.; mother, Erma Mizell; father, Carl Mizell; brother, Bud Mizell; and sister, Barbara Ann Risdon. 

Our mother enjoyed her Atlanta Braves and always joked with our father that she would one day Marry Javy Lopez, her favorite catcher for the Atlanta Braves. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren and spending as much time with them as she possibly could. If she had the opportunity to tell anyone, she would let them know that her 7-year-old first great-granddaughter, Payton is the best softball player to ever walk on the field at such an early age and that would have been one argument you would not have wanted to have with Mama. It was made clear to us that our mother forgot what the meaning “No” meant when it came to her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, David Melvin (Jennifer) of Ocala, FL, Elizabeth McGowan (Tad) of Ludowici, Thomas J. Melvin, Jr. (Bianca) of LaVernia, TX, and Daniel Melvin (Susan) of Guyton; four sisters, Nancy, Linda, Carla, Anita; one brother, Dennis; ten grandchildren; and four very special great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 9, 2023 at Carter Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at Carter Funeral Home. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, GA.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Ryan McGowan, Gavin McGowan, Cain Melvin, Justin Floyd, Jason Floyd, Josh Melvin, Austin Melvin, Cole Melvin, and Hamp Gross.

Carter Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.