Marie Stokes Melichar | Obituaries

Marie Stokes Melichar died peacefully Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at St. Dominic Hospital with her daughters at her side.  

Marie was born Jan. 29, 1928, in Vicksburg, the daughter of Walter and Marie Stokes.  She was extremely blessed to have been reared by parents who modeled a deep Christian faith in their lives, providing her a firm foundation throughout life. Marie spent her elementary and high school years in Jackson and Greenville, where she was very active in her church and in musical groups. During high school, Marie hosted a radio program, “Marie Stokes Sings,” which opened each week with her singing “With a Song in My Heart.” These early experiences formed a springboard for Marie’s lifelong love of singing and sharing her beautiful soprano voice with others. She truly lived her life with many songs in her heart!

Marie attended Millsaps College, where she was a member of Millsaps Singers and Chi Omega. She transferred to Ole Miss, where she was active in the University Chorus, Girls Glee Club and Chi Omega. Most significantly at Ole Miss, Marie met her beloved husband of 68 years George Melichar. After graduation from Ole Miss with an education degree and then marriage, Marie and George moved to San Diego for George’s naval duty; then they settled in Laurel. Marie was a loving and caring mother to their two daughters and was a devoted and supportive wife. She also volunteered for numerous church and civic activities.

Marie’s real passion throughout her life involved giving her time and musical talent to others in order to glorify the Lord. As a church choir member her entire life, Marie faithfully attended weekly choir practices and sang in church services well past 90 years of age! Marie participated in music and the arts in her community and throughout the state for many years. She was a charter member and president of the Laurel Community Chorus, the Laurel Arts League and the Lauren Rogers Museum of Arts Docents. She also served as president of both the Community Concert Association and the Laurel Music Club. In addition, she served on the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Opera/Musical Theatre Committee.

Marie performed throughout the state and region in recital, oratorio, opera and theatre.  She was soprano soloist for the Mississippi Opera, Jackson Opera Guild, Jackson Symphony, Jackson, Greenville and Meridian choral societies, the University of Mississippi Guest Artist series and The Meistersingers of Hattiesburg. Marie had leading roles in many Laurel Little Theatre musicals and she was a frequently requested soloist for numerous weddings, programs, churches, clubs and conventions.

A member of Laurel First United Methodist Church for 70 years, Marie also served on the administrative board and the UMW. She was children’s choir director, Sunday school music coordinator and church historian. Marie loved being a member of DAR, Laurel Junior Auxiliary and Laurel Little Garden Club.

Marie cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was very gregarious and loved talking and visiting with everyone. In addition, she wrote poems and songs, cheered for her Ole Miss Rebels, shared and catalogued her family’s genealogy, and was ever proud to show her patriotism. She fiercely loved God, her family and her country.

She was preceded in death by her husband George I. Melichar; her parents Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Stokes Jr.; and her brother Walter E. Stokes III. 

Marie is survived by her daughters Marcia (Steve) Whatley of Madison and Leah (Glenn) Campbell of Hattiesburg; grandchildren Steven (Rebecca) Whatley, Jennifer (Jake) Vaughn, Michael Campbell and Chris (Caitlin) Campbell; and great-grandchildren Hank, Joey Grace and Lucy Vaughn, and Logan Whatley.  

The family expresses a special thank you for the care, concern and compassion shown to Marie by the staff at the Arbor during her later years there as a resident.

A service of remembrance and resurrection will be Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. at Laurel First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be prior to the service at the church from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be after the service at Lake Park Hills Cemetery in Laurel.

Memorials may be made to Laurel First UMC, 420 N. 5th Ave., Laurel, MS 39440, to the Marie Stokes Melichar Music Scholarship c/o JCJC Foundation, Inc., 900 S. Court St., Ellisville, MS 39437, or a charity of your choice.  

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

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