Marianne Glenn Melton

Marianne Glenn Melton passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025 at St. Catherine’s Center in Waco, Texas, surrounded by family. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 5th from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at OakCrest Funeral Home in Waco, TX, with the interment at 2:30 p.m. on December 6th at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas, TX. A Memorial Service to honor Marianne’s life and legacy will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall with Rev. J.P. Marshall officiating.

Marianne was born on September 26, 1932 in Dania, Florida to Dr. James Lafayette Glenn and Freda Marie (Helmer) Glenn. Her father was a Presbyterian minister and missionary to the Seminole tribes of the Florida Everglades. Marianne was the third of three children, preceded by her brothers James Lee and Thomas Lane.

The Glenn family later moved to Cross Plains, Texas and then to Rockwall, Texas where Marianne graduated from high school and was active in First Presbyterian Church, where her father served as pastor. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Texas Woman’s University, followed by a Master of Science in Education from East Texas State University. Marianne taught music for ten years in the Dallas Independent School District.

On June 26, 1965, Marianne married William H. Melton, co-owner of Melton Book Company in Dallas. She sang with the Dallas Opera and was a longtime member of the Highland Park Presbyterian Church choir. After becoming a mother, she retired from teaching to raise her children, William H. Melton, Jr. and Melanie A. Melton, while continuing to teach private voice lessons and share music in the community, including performances in local nursing homes.

Music was central to Marianne’s life. She loved Broadway classics—especially The Sound of Music—and was known for her clear, lyrical soprano voice. She was equally devoted to sacred music, often singing pieces such as The Lord’s Prayer, and O Holy Night. Her Christian faith guided her throughout her life, and she remained a devoted Presbyterian, passing her faith and values on to her children.

Marianne was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, William H. Melton, Sr.; parents, Dr. James L. Glenn and Freda Glenn; brothers, James Lee Glenn and his wife Imogene, and Dr. Thomas Lane Glenn; daughter, Rebecca Melton (lost to miscarriage); and son-in-law, James R. Melton.

She is survived by her son, William Melton, Jr. and his wife Angela; daughter, Melanie Melton; sister-in-law, Hope Ramsey; grandchildren, Sarah Melton, Hannah Melton, Jessica Melton-Robinson and her husband Andrew Robinson, Sr., Kelly Melton and her partner Chris Gassaway, and Nathan Melton; great-grandchildren, Tabitha, Dewayne, Andrew, and Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of St. Catherine’s Center at Providence Village for their dedicated care over the past 12 years, and to Providence Hospice for their support in her final months.