Melvin Don Landreth

Melvin Don Landreth of Roe and Conway, went to heaven on July 25, 2025. His mother, brother and one of his favorite doctors were at his bedside.

Donnie was born Jan. 27, 1954, in DeWitt to Glenda and Melvin Landreth.

He is survived by his mother, Glenda Cooper Landreth and his brother, Brian Aaron (Janet) Landreth of Roe; aunts, Marilee Coooper Schuck, Gladys (Clarence) Lawson, Liberty, Mo., Myrtle (Landreth) Dempsey, DeWitt, uncle Kenneth Landreth (Nadia) Landreth, Flower Mount, Tx; and many, many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Lewey Melvin Landreth; grandparents, Rea and Bess Cooper and Lewey and Irene Landreth; aunts and uncles, Carolyn Sue Cooper and Albert Smith, Ruby Landreth and Leon Shook, Patty Landreth and Jr. Dubert, uncle Howard Landreth; and cousins, Lamonte Landreth and Allen Smith.

Donnie’s life had a story. Born perfect, at 2 months old he suffered a terrible seizure. Years later, this proved to be a major stroke which left him with many disabilities. His diagnosis was he wouldn’t live a year. And here 71 years later the memories of Donnie’s life are like a collection of rare pearls.

He did learn to clap his hands, to sit, to stand and walk. To speak (only when he wanted to) and to sing. He loved music. His favorite was “Silent Night, Holy Night” and we sing this hymn in our home year-round. And there was “By and By, When the Morning Comes.”

He was a happy person, and he loved everyone. Never expressed hatred. A little anger? He did have a little brother, you know. At 12 years of age, Donnie became a resident at the Children’s Colony in Conway (now Conway Human Development Center). That became home to him and the love and care for him there has been beyond exceptional.

Little by little over the years, Donnie’s successes in life began to decline. Which brings us to this place today. At 3:30 a.m. Friday morning he arrived at Heaven’s Gate, on his one two feet, and was met by Jesus Christ and a welcoming committee of family - his Daddy, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. What a celebration that was. We grieve for ourselves, but not for him, he's perfect.

And someday……………

Funeral services, officiated by Bro. Gregg Greenway and Bro. Rondal Richardson, are at 2 p.m. Monday, July 28, at Turpin Funeral Home chapel with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Almyra Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be made to Conway Human Development Center, Volunteer Council-Willow One, 150 E. Siebenmorgan Rd., Conway, Ark. 72032.