Obituary of Melven V. Motes

Melven Vernon Motes passed away Sunday, March 27, 2016 at the age of 93. He was born in Hickory Plains, Arkansas to the late Isaac J. and Rosa M. Motes. Mel was a US Naval veteran and served proudly as a member of the Seabees during World War II. He retired in 1984 from his position as a Regional Credit Manager ending a 30 year career with Sears Roebuck & Co. He and his late wife, Arnetta Thomason Motes, were able to enjoy a 53 year marriage and 30 of those years were spent in their retirement home in Ocala, Florida. Melven was raised in the Church of Christ and in March 2005 renewed his relationship with God being baptized by his brother, Pastor Alton Motes. His personality was larger than life. He never met a stranger and loved nothing more than the joy of bringing laughter and smiles to all those he met. “Don’t sweat the small stuff” was his motto and he actually lived it. He was a model of positive thinking. In his eyes, everyday is a new day and you could make it a good day or a bad day; the choice is all up to you. He is survived by his brothers Ivan, Alton, and Robert Motes; daughters Elaine (Ken) Barnes, Renee (Dave) Telling; sons Wayne (Linda) Motes, Darrell Motes, Scott (Denise) Motes; grandchildren Kim, Melanie, Bret, Brian, Darrell Jr., Adam, Westin, Trevor and their families. Pastor Jim Case will conduct service Thursday 11 AM at Redmon Funeral Home, where friends may call from 9 AM until service time. Burial will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman OH at 1:00 P.M.