Melva Lu Dixon Calhoun, December 11, 1935 – January 28, 2025, was happy and greatly blessed between the -dash-. Melva Lu was born December 11, 1935 during the Great Depression at her grandparents’ home in Roff, Oklahoma. Her parents were Lona Norine (nee Heathman) and Melvin Andrew Dixon. The Dixons lived in Kanawa, Oklahoma where Melvin had a fleet of trucks to deliver ice to homes throughout the area.
When World War II needed trucks at Ft Hood, the Dixons, trucks, and employees moved to Killeen, Texas where Melva Lu attended elementary school and rode her horse Squeegy. Melva Lu asked Jesus into her heart while visiting her grandparents in Ada, Oklahoma. She was baptized there in 1943.
In 1944, M.A. Dixon Trucking Company moved to Edmond Oklahoma to service the newly discovered oil field. This is where Melva Lu finished high school, and her brothers, Dan and Drew were born.
Melva Lu graduated from Baylor University in 1956 and, three weeks later, married Gerald George Calhoun. Gerry was a lieutenant in the Air Force. The couple was stationed in Harlingen, Texas where their first son Steve was born. After a few months at an Air Force Base in California, the family was transferred to Yokota, Japan where blond, blue eyed Scott joined the family. After being discharged from the military, the family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas where Gerry began his career as a geologist hunting oil. There, the Calhoun family was completed perfectly with the birth of Clay.
In January 1963, the family moved to Midland, Texas where the boys grew up. One by one they each accepted Jesus’ gracious gift of salvation and were baptized at First Baptist Church. They attended Bonham, Fannin, Goddard Jr. High and Lee High School. Lu was P.T.A. president in each school!
After living at 2606 Terrace for fifty years (with a one-year break from 1995-1996 to serve as a missionary in Washington DC), Lu moved to Manor Park in 2019 and later to Helen Greathouse where she continued to be blessed and to bless others.
“Between the Dash”, Mom (AKA Grandmom, AKA GiGi) was a faithful, loving and joyous daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Sunday School teacher, sponsor for numerous youth mission trips and participant on many more, mentor to young women informally and as part of MOPS, active member of many church committees, part-time accountant, substitute teacher, world-class bridge player, committed friend, and general evangelist at large. She never met anyone whom she did not try to introduce to Jesus.
Remaining on earth in obedience to God and in His loving care are Brothers: Dan Dixon and Drew Dixon, Children: Steve and Diane Calhoun, Scott and Rebekah Calhoun, Clay and Julie Calhoun. Grandchildren: Clint and Aryn Calhoun, Christi and Aaron Foust, Kelli Calhoun, Cade and Leah Calhoun, Jesse and Erin Calhoun, Nick Calhoun, Abby and Will Green, and Emma Calhoun, Great grandchildren: Jovie, Dallas, Cohen and Juno Calhoun, Trenton, Tripp and Tate Foust, Michael and Zandon Sinnreich, and Kaia Calhoun, Avery, Kimber and Creede Calhoun, and William Green. Brothers: Dan Dixon and Drew Dixon. Numerous cousins and extended family also share in her legacy.
The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Midland and Helen Greathouse for their professional and tender care of Mom/Grandmom/GiGi during her last several years. We would especially like to thank her many friends—both life-long and newly-met—for participating in her life, giving and receiving support and companionship in good times and hard times.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one of her many favorite charitable organizations (e.g. denisonforum.org, fuelthefireministries.com, water4.org, 21wilberforce.org) or others where you feel led to contribute.
A celebration of life service will be held in the chapel at First Baptist Church Midland on February 15, 2025 at 10:00 am. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
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