Aretta Irene Melvin

Aretta Irene Melvin, 84, of Decatur, Ark., died Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at Bradford House in Bentonville, Ark. She was born on Dec. 25, 1927, in Johnston City, Ill., to Samuel Lee Jackson and Della Mae Land Jackson. She married Harry Melvin Jr. in 1945. She co-pastored with her husband and for 55 years. They moved to Arkansas in 1994 and were care pastors at the Bella Vista Assembly of God Church. She is survived by son, Harry Roland Melvin and wife Cathry of West Frankfort, Ill.; daughter, Aretta Joy Tharp and husband, Robert of Decatur, Ark.; six grandchildren, Lena Joy Cornell, C.J. Tharp, Sohn W. Melvin, Kimberly Cross, Forrest W. Tharp, Ross J. Tharp and their spouses and 12 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 29, 2012, at Bella Vista Assembly of God Church, 1771 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark., with Rev. Jonathan Watson officiating.