Funeral services for Melvin Littlejohn, 91, of Portales, NM will be at 10:00am, Monday, October 9, at the First Baptist Church in Portales with Dr. Dave McFadden officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Mt. Zion Cemetery at Dora with Tommy Heflin, Chris Horton, Todd Horton, Stanley Jones, Mickey Littlejohn, Billy Smith, Derrell Smith, and Larry Teal serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacons of First Baptist Church, the Noonsday Lions Club, and Melvin’s Sunday School class. The family suggests donations be made to the New Mexico Baptist Children’s home in Portales where Melvin had served on the Board of Directors for many years.
Melvin Eugene Littlejohn was born May 28, 1926 to James Simeon and Virgie Leona (Harris) Littlejohn in the Rogers Community. He passed from this life into the presence of the Lord on October 5, 2017, in Farwell, TX.
On October 21, 1944, in Portales, he married Dovie Marie Thompson. They were blessed with three children: Michael, Mark, and Madelyn. Melvin had served in the army and was stationed in Virginia for two years where his job was preparing men for overseas duty. Upon returning to Portales, he went to work for his uncle, Orville Harris, at Harris’ Store for Men in Portales for nearly 30 years. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
Melvin is survived by 3 children, Michael of Amarillo, TX; Mark of Portales; and Madelyn Germany and husband Brian of Forrest Lake, MN, and second daughter, Cindy Littlejohn of Borger, TX. He also has 5 grandchildren: Michele Burkhalter and husband, Dan, of Westminster, CO; Ashley Bergeron and husband, Ramsey, of Scottsdale, AZ; Brian Parrish of Lakewood, CO; Zachary Germany and wife, Monica, of Forrest Lake, MN; and Noah Germany of Forrest Lake; three great-grandchildren, Breck & Blakelee of CO, and Micah of MN; a niece, Patricia Horton of Portales; a nephew, Mickey Littlejohn and wife, Pam, of Caldwell, TX; many cousins and a host of friends.
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife of almost 73 years, Marie, on September 10, 2017; his parents, Jimmy and Virgie; his brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Ruby Littlejohn; and a nephew, Donnie Jim Littlejohn.
Melvin Littlejohn might have been the nicest, kindest man in Portales. My parents thought so, and I grew up thinking so. He was so kind and unruffled, a gentleman’s gentleman, if you will. He defined the word “class”. It is wonderful that he has joined Marie, now, and the reunion party includes so many friends!!!