Melvin Landen Styers

Melvin Landen Styers, age 91, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He was born on August 28, 1933, in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Landen Alfred and Addie Mae (Perry) Styers. In addition to his parents, Melvin is preceded in death by sister, Darlene (Styers) Crossland; brothers-in-law, Johnny Brown, and Joe Brown; sisters-in-law, Juanita Hazelwood, Betty Crain, and Elizabeth Estes.

Melvin was born in the middle of the Depression in a house with no screens on the windows. He learned to work hard from an early age by clearing a field for his uncle using a scythe. He said that he could still hear the scythe as it cut through the grass. He loved the feeling of satisfaction that hard work instilled in him.

He graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1951. He remained in contact with those classmates the remainder of his life. The motto that his classmates gave him was “Never Too Busy for a Good Time.”

He married the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, Billie Louise Brown, on August 29, 1952. They were married for over 72 years. According to statistics only one-tenth of one percent of all marriages last 70 years.

He was drafted into the U.S Army in September of 1953 and went to Camp Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia for basic training and served as a medic at Fort Lewis, Washington until 1955. When he and Billie returned to Arkansas, they made a point to go to the opening of a new theme park called Disneyland.

After returning to Little Rock, Melvin opened his electrical company, Styers Electric, in 1956 and worked in the business until 2022 when his son, Melvin Jr., took ownership. In his 66 years as owner of Styers Electric, he employed many family members and friends. His nephew Jerry stated that he was checking the wiring as soon as he entered heaven.

Melvin had a servant’s heart. He took many people on trips, fished with them, cooked for them, skied with them, and listened to music with them. Melvin and Billie entertained countless people in their home with selfless ease. He took care of people when they could not take care of themselves. He even imagined that he cooked soup for sixty nurses and medical personnel during his last days in the hospital. He was continually giving recipes to his nurses during a two-week stint at Briarwood rehab facility between hospital stays.

He was a member of the Church of Christ for 75 years with fifty of these years at the Mabelvale Pike location. Church was the center of his life. He worked and demonstrated his love for the church until the end of his life. When he could no longer attend services, he said, “Tell the church I’m coming back when I get well, and I have not quit.”

Melvin LOVED all kinds of music, especially old gospel singing. He was constantly listening to music. He sang loudly in his hospital bed about heaven until his voice through illness was silenced.

Melvin had a passion for traveling. Branson, MO was a tradition that lasted three decades. He and Billie constantly visited Branson with other couples or numerous family members. Even though he was a child of the Depression, he managed to see four continents, at least sixteen countries and over thirty states in his 91 years.

Melvin’s spirit of adventure combined with Billie’s spirit of nurturing has been embedded in the souls of their children and grandchildren. His granddaughter-in-law, Linley said that he introduced himself to her as Melvin. Her husband, Landon, had told her so much about him though that she immediately called him Papaw. She said, “I knew he would be my Papaw too.”

Those left to cherish Melvin's memory include his beloved wife of 72 years, Billie Louise (Brown) Styers; children, Pamela (Kent) Crouch, Melvin Landon (Gwen) Styers Jr., Teresa (Doug) Reynolds, and Richard Styers; grandchildren, Landon (Linley) Crouch, Grayson Crouch, Nick Neldon, Mitchell (Carrie) Neldon, Zachary Neldon, Cody Landon Styers, and Ali (Noah) Bridges; great-grandchildren, Ruby Neldon, Miles Neldon, Jasper Neldon, Benjamin Landon Crouch, and Ada Crouch; as well as many other beloved family members and friends.

A visitation for Melvin will be held Friday, March 28, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Pinecrest Funeral Home, 7401 HIGHWAY 5 N, ALEXANDER, AR 72002. A funeral will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM, also at Pinecrest Funeral Home. Melvin will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Reception including lunch will follow the graveside service at the funeral home.