She died peacefully among family and friends, and was awash in the love of those closest to her who sheltered and cared for her in her time of need.

Melody is survived by her children, Amy Davis and Douglas DeBerry (Linda DeBerry), her husband, James DeBerry, and her brothers Alfred (Brick) Clendenin and Gerald (Jerry) Clendenin. She has three grandchildren, Taylor Davis (25), Grayson DeBerry (19), and Jordan DeBerry (17), whom she frequently referred to as her "shining stars."

She loved those closest to her "to the moon and back," and her family will be forever indebted to the beautiful friendships that were rekindled in her last year among us. Melody was a cherished member of the community and universally regarded as a kind, generous, and loving person. She received others with an open heart and a generosity of spirit that was conspicuous to predecessors, contemporaries, and descendants alike – including her "extended family" of children that came into her orbit during her many years of service in the Newport News School System.

Melody loved to laugh, and by her very presence could lighten the mood in any room. She will be missed by all of those whom she touched in life, but she will live on in passing as a light in those same souls who were fortunate enough to have had the chance to call her by name: "Melody", "daughter", "sister", "mom", "Meemaw", "Mimi", "Ma D". We miss you.

A memorial service for Melody will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at the Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601.

In lieu of home visitation or gifts, the family would welcome a donation to the American Cancer Society in Melody's honor. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press on November 25, 2018.
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