Melva Hair

Melva Pearl Thompson Hair, 90, of Crowley Texas, passed away on October 10, 2022. Melva was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas on July 26, 1932, the daughter of Cleophus Ione and Leila Ermine Morrow Thompson.

She was a graduate of Polytechnic High School Class of 1950. Melva was married to Robert Bee Hodge, Jr. from 1951-1972.

She would stay true to her southern roots all of her life
having resided in San Diego, CA, Roswell, NM, Orlando, FL and New Orleans, LA.

Never to stay idle, Melva was Assistant Personal Director for Methodist Hospital New Orleans East and K&B Drug Store. She was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority,
Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts Louisiana South East Council, the Order of the Eastern Star, and a lifetime member of the International Order of Rainbow Girls.

Melva also helped raise more than $2M between 1973-1975 for Danny Thomas's St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Melva wed for the second time in 1973 to Gordon Emerson Hair.

After her children Theresa, Lisa, Gerald, Carol and Nancy finished High School,
Melva and Gordon moved to Orlando, FL. She was Team Coordinator overseeing the Lighting Project at EPCOT in Disney World and the construction of the Ride Systems for Tokyo Disneyland. At the completion of her work with Disney, Melva was employed as assistant store manager for Corning Factory Outlet. Taking great pride in her talent for design with Decorating Den Franchise, she became well-known within the decorating industry. That lead her to launching her own company, Distinctive Interiors by Mel for home & business.

When Melva finally retired, she returned to New Orleans, taking up residence in Metairie, the largest community in Jefferson Parish. Following the passing of a grandson and her husband within 3 weeks of each other in 2003, Melva joined her eldest daughter, Theresa, back home in Texas.

Melva was outgoing and could take on any project, gathering or obstacle.

Melva is survived by her children and their spouses, Theresa Hodge, Lisa & Kenneth Guillot,
Gerald & Holly Hodge, Carol & Dale Weaver, and Nancy & John; 6 grandchildren;
7 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives & friends.

Melva was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Robert Bee Hodge, Jr. and Gordon Emerson Hair; 2 grandchildren and brother Cy Thompson.

Both her drive and independent spirit will be missed