Submitted by:
Glenn Rice and Lena Stone Criswell
The
Marlin Democrat
February 3, 2004
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
MELINDA CRISWELL
March 31, 1950 - Jan. 29, 2004
Melinda
Criswell, 53, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, in Albuquerque, NM, as a
result of a tragic accident.
She was struck
by an automobile while walking from the grocery store Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Melinda is
survived by her parents, Glenn R. and Lena Stone Criswell; sisters, Cathy
Criswell Harper and Bonnie Criswell Mares/Edward S. Mares; nephew, Richard
Matthew Harper; nieces, Laura and Kimberly Mares, all residents of Albuquerque.
She is also
survived by loyal friend, George Luccro of Albuquerque and her faithful old dog
"Tess."
Melinda was
preceded in death by her grandparents, T. T. and Amelia McKinley Criswell and
Charley D. and Lella Bowers Stone, all of Falls County, Texas.
Melinda was born
in Marlin, Falls County, Texas, on March 31, 1950. After living in Victoria and
Houston, Texas, she moved with her family to Albuquerque in 1954 at four years
of age.
She attended
Albuquerque Public Schools and the University of New Mexico. After marriage,
Melinda continued her education at California State University and then
graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a bachelor
of arts degree in 1977.
She was employed
as a legal assistant in Los Angeles before returning to Albuquerque in 1981 when
she worked at the local newspaper publishing company and did freelance writing
before forming a contract office services business.
She was a member
of Trinity United Methodist Church. Melinda had a life-long love of animals and
nature.
She pursued her
interest in creative artistic endeavors and art history throughout her life. In
high school, she volunteered as a Candy Striper at Presbyterian Hospital and was
a volunteer tutor in the Albuquerque Public Schools System.
Graveside
services were held Feb. 5, 2004, at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE in
Albuquerque, with Rev. Norton Scrimshire of Trinity United Methodist Church and
Assistant Pastor Mark Mason of Calvary Chapel of Rio Rancho, N.M. officiating.
In lieu of
flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Animal Humane
Association of New Mexico, 615 Virginia SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.
Arrangements
were performed by French Mortuary, Albuquerque, NM, (505) 823-9400.
