Melanie Martin Dotson

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11

Melanie Claire Martin Dotson, 72 years old, beloved spouse, mom, and grandmother, was called to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 29th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She entered this world on July 26, 1953, born to Janette Louviere and John Rodney ("Buddy") Martin in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Melanie married the love of her life, Gordon Wayne Dotson-her high school sweetheart-in 1974. She knew that God had called her to be a wife and mother, and she longed to raise a family in honor of that calling. Melanie and Gordon lived in Monroe while Gordon completed his college degree, and later moved to Zachary, Louisiana, so he could begin teaching at Zachary High. They made many lifelong friends during those first few years and were determined to plant their family deeply in that community.

After their first two children were born in 1976 and 1977, Melanie and Gordon decided it was time for Gordon to pursue physical therapy, which meant another move-this time to New Orleans. Their third child was born there. In 1980, with Gordon's PT degree completed, they knew they would return to Zachary. And they did, moving back into the same home they had lived in three years earlier. With hearts full of dreams and potential-and now with three kids in tow-Gordon and Melanie embraced life as it came and embedded themselves firmly into the Zachary community.

Melanie was a cherished member of Plains Presbyterian Church in Zachary, where she displayed her faith through active and joyful service. She spent much of her time, while she was able, volunteering. During VBS, she worked in the snack room, helpings with crafts and kept track of the points each team earned throughout the week. Melanie would often "discover" extra points on the final day for teams that had fallen behind. She also loved the people of Plains and showed that love through the card ministry, encouraging families and individuals who were grieving, hurting, or facing illness and encouraging the faithful.

Melanie volunteered at every Zachary school her children attended. She had the best of motives-a genuine care for all children. Her own children's presence at the school, allowing her to keep a watchful eye on their comings and goings, was merely lagniappe. (She made helicopter parenting cool for the next generation.) She often caught her children in some mischievous scheme, foiling their plans before they could hatch. They never knew how she knew... but now they know.

After her children no longer needed constant oversight, she retired from volunteering and moved to the fast-paced world of food service in the Zachary High School cafeteria. She memorized every student's ID number. She couldn't recall most of their names, but she could remember their ID numbers years after they graduated. She would stop people everywhere she went to tell them their number. It became a traveling parlor trick that delighted many-and mildly alarmed many more. She brought warmth and kindness to students and staff daily. Her generous spirit and radiant smile lit up every room she entered. Her friends and family remember her warm, witty personality. She loved to laugh and to tell stories-and, as a special kindness, she always laughed at Kelly's jokes when no one else would (which, incidentally, created in him a false sense of his own comedic abilities and perpetuated his penchant for bad joke telling).

Melanie's love for her children extended exponentially to her grandchildren. She loved each of them equally-truly. Klaytin's arrival into the world coincided with health challenges for Melanie, but she was determined to spoil her grand-kids and not let her health interfere with her relationships with them. She doted on them, delighted in their achievements, and found creative ways to show affection. She loved them fiercely, once spending four days riding roller coasters at Disney World with them, only to proclaim afterward, "I'm not a roller coaster person."

Melanie loved having a home where everyone was welcome. Her door was always open to friends, strangers, and stragglers alike. (Unless a salesman came to the door-then it was Gordon's turn to be hospitable.) Her home was full of life and music. If you stopped by unannounced, you would likely find music blaring while Melanie worked around the house. She especially cherished reconnecting with her childhood friends and high school classmates enjoying monthly lunches, in New Iberia and daily phone calls.

She displayed habits that were both endearing and frustrating. For example, she made extensive lists to keep up with the hustle and bustle of life-but only with a special pen on specific notebook paper. She wouldn't let anyone else do the laundry or wash the dishes, not because she was controlling, but because no one else did it correctly. She was a good house manager, keeping everyone organized and on track. Melanie maintained family traditions with care. She sent hundreds of Christmas cards every year and spent November and December making her special candies and cookies. Those who received her treats were delighted and asked for them year after year. She made them with love and cherished the friends and family who enjoyed them.

Christmas was a yearly event of joyful chaos. She was determined that everyone received the same number of presents. The family opened gifts one at a time, and Melanie kept track of who opened what. Inevitably, the wrong person opened the wrong gift, but Melanie always found a way to make it right. Swapping presents-opened and unopened-she ensured everything ended up in the correct hands. At Easter the family gathered to dye eggs and enjoy each other's company. She loved having all the family together, and when out-of-town relatives visited, her home overflowed with both chaos and love.

Though her passing brings sorrow, her loved ones find comfort in the hope of Christ's resurrection and the promise of future reunion in God's eternal kingdom. She now rests peacefully, free from suffering, in the presence of her Savior.

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol or let your holy one see corruption." - Psalm 16:9-10

Melanie is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Gordon W. Dotson; daughter, Stephanie Dotson Webb; sons, Rev. Kelly Dotson and his wife, Amy, and Jeremy Dotson; six grandchildren, Klaytin, Kayne, and Kyrbie Webb, and Alexander ("Tiger") and Amelia Rose ("Rosie") Dotson; mother, Janette Louviere Cochran; brother, Christopher Semper (MaryAnne Tierney); sisters, Sharon Brunk (John Henry), Connie Rudolph, and Rebecca Hord (Steed); and a host of nieces and nephews.

Melanie is preceded in death by her father, John Rodney ("Buddy") Martin, and her son-in-law, Jason Webb.

Serving as pallbearers will be Christopher Semper, John Henry Brunk, Roy Dotson, Clay Schexnayder, Klaytin Webb, Kayne Webb, Alexander Dotson, Sydney Schexnayder, and Michael Lavespere.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for visitation at Plains Presbyterian Church, 22929 Old Scenic Hwy, Zachary, LA, on Thursday, December 4th, 2025, from 9:00 AM until the funeral service at 11:00 AM, officiated by Revs. Campbell Silman and Ricky Glenn. The graveside service and burial will follow at Plains Presbyterian Memorial Gardens in Zachary, Louisiana. In honor of Melanie the family asks that donation be made to Plains Presbyterian Church's Lighthouse ministry which supports and extends care to families touched by Special Needs.