Melody Karen Douglas

Melody Karen Douglas, was born at home on August 20, 1938 to the late Mr. Henry and Beatrice Overton in Detroit, Michigan. Both parents preceded her in Death. Melody accepted Christ at a young age attending St. Cyprian before joining Hartford Baptist Church. As a child she enjoyed music, leaning to play several instruments and singing. She had a strong desire for education in general. Melody attended Detroit Public Schools graduating from Northwestern High School class of 1955. She continued her passion for learning at Western Michigan University. From her union to Curtis Gunn, her only daughter Karen Elizabeth was born. Melody was a hard worker holding several jobs including a bank teller, postal employee and union representative. During this time she met and married James Martin. While working for the post office she continued her passion for learning at Wayne State University earning a Masters Degree in Education and numerous credit hours toward a PhD. While at WSU, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and became a devoted member.
Melody's interest in African American History led her to volunteer at the original African American Museum and traveling bus. She shared Dr. Charles Wright's vision and authored the Buy A Brick Campaign which led to the awesome structure that we have today.
Melody's first teaching assignment was at Mayberry Elementary. She joined Damon J. Keith as Assistant Principal and later became Principal. Her love of learning and educating children led her to develop and open the Catherine Blackwell Institute for International Studies, Commerce and Technology on the East side of Detroit in 1992. Melody was the first Principal to instill a Uniform Code of Dress, allowing her students to focus on learning at an equal level and not who was wearing the latest fashion fads.
Melody met and married her soulmate Dr. Leonard Douglas in 1995 and retired in 1997. They shared a passion for educating the youth, giving back to the community and traveling the world including cruising yearly and spending the winters in one of her favorite spots Las Vegas. Melody departed this life unexpectedly on Saturday October 21st and leaves to cherish her life a loving and devoted husband Leonard Douglas, her daughter Karen Adams (Louisville KY), and her mate Jeremiah Jackson, stepson Daryl Douglas (Atlanta, GA), her only sister Yvonne Dubois, Son-In-Law Dorne Adams Sr., Grand Children Dorne Adams (Lynnette) (Denver, CO) Nicholas Adams, Jordan Douglas, Ryan Douglas, Great Grandchildren Cheriesh and Veronica, Nephews Murray Dubois (Trish), James Dubois, her best friend Marion Jefferson, numerous cousins and host of friends and students. Cemetery Details Westlawn Cemetery 31472 Michigan Ave Wayne, MI 48184 Loading map Previous Events Family & Friends Visitation OCT 26. 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (ET) Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home-Westland 4670 S. Inkster Rd. Westland, MI 48186 mcclaryfh@yahoo.com https://www.chapelchimes.com/ Loading map Family Hour OCT 27. 10:00 AM (ET) Hartford Memorial Baptist Church 18700 James Couzens Detroit, MI Loading map Celebration of Life OCT 27. 11:00 AM (ET) Hartford Memorial Baptist Church 18700 James Couzens Detroit, MI Loading map The Final Resting Place OCT 27 (ET) Westlawn Cemetery 31472 Michigan Ave Wayne, MI 48184 Loading map

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