Melinda Moyers Ross

Melinda Moyers Ross, 65, of Columbia, MD, passed away July 8, 2019 surrounded by family and friends. She was a devoted mother to Laura Chaconas and her son-in-law, Steven Chaconas; a caring wife to John McLaughlin; adoring grandmother of Cassidy Chaconas; and sister to Karen Bryant.  She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Melinda was born on April 18, 1954 in New Orleans, Louisiana where she was adopted by Rutha Lois Alger and James Henry Moyers. She lived in New Orleans, Louisiana until she was about eight and then moved to Virginia.  She attended Langley High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. She then moved back in with her parents and lived in Annapolis, Maryland. After the untimely death of her father in 1966,  her mother later married Russ Alger, who was Mindy’s caring stepfather until his own death. She had become close to his three daughters, Nancy, Stacy, and Debbie Alger.

Most everyone knew her as Mindy. Mindy was a very loving mother. She provided an in-home day care so that she could be with her daughter. She made sure Laura was involved in many activities, raised in a church environment, and knew the importance of education. She worked as a Recess monitor at Running Brook Elementary school which her daughter attended.  Later Mindy started working as a substitute teacher for the Howard County Public School System. She enjoyed making her own schedule these past years and having time to run around town with Laura.

Mindy was very outgoing, friendly, and social. She knew someone everywhere she went because she would talk to everybody.  She enjoyed hanging out with friends and family.  She found joy in spending time with her granddaughter, playing games with her and taking her for walks. She loved traveling to Texas to visit her beloved cousin, Annette Harris, going to the beach, and talking (sometimes incessantly) about the Dallas Cowboys.

She had been baptized at the Metairie Baptist Church in New Orleans and was involved in many different Christian churches through the years and loved being involved with their ministries. She met her husband John McLaughlin at Columbia Presbyterian Church. They were married for twelve years. Recently, she was  a member of South Columbia Baptist Church.

Relatives and friends may gather together at South Columbia Baptist Church, 8814 Guilford Rd. Columbia, MD 21046. Visitation with the family will be from 10 AM to 11AM. The Celebration of Life service will be at 11AM. Luncheon immediately to follow service at the church.

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