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Condolences:
Melva Joan Smith-Richman
2020-04-07
Melva Joan Smith-Richman, age 86 of Amelia Island, FL passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Lakeside of Amelia.
There will be no local services at this time.
Memories
SUSAN MARKIW, PT April 10, 2020
Melva was one of the sweetest ladies I ever had the privilege to care for. May she rest in peace.
FREDERICK DOUTHITT April 26, 2020
Melva Dipper was my art teacher at WTHS NJ. I credit Mrs. Dipper solely for me going to college. I had no desire to go. When I was a senior, she convinced me to �Just try a semester, just try a year, just give it a chance.� She saw something in me that no one else did. I graduated four years later with a BA, with a specialization in Printmaking. After graduation, I took a job as a cartographer for the state of NJ. I went back to college at night the following Fall and got a BA in Geography, with a specialization in GIS. I went on to have a 34 year career with the state. I continued my education the entire career and maintained a professional certification in GIS. I went back to WTHS during my college years to tell her how well I was doing. Mrs. Dipper was no longer teaching at WTHS. So, I never told her how much her encouragement meant to me. Without Mrs. Dipper�s persuasive encouragement, I don�t think I would be the person I am today. Thank you Mrs. Dipper, may God Bless Your Soul!