Melvin “Mel” Applewhite passed away in his home at the age of 85 on September 16, 2020. Mel was born in New Orleans on May 14, 1935 to Thomas Applewhite and Esther Hoover. Mel served his country in the Air Force for four years at Edwards Air Force Base in California. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Linda M. Applewhite, a retired registered nurse.
Mel is survived by four children - Mitch Applewhite (Cindy), Carey DePetris (Chris), Jennifer Brown (Bill), and Debra Steppe (Ray); and five grandchildren- Allison Brown, Ryan Steppe, Grant Steppe, Rachel Applewhite and Mallory Steppe.
The youngest of five children, he is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Thomas Applewhite and Clarence “C.L.” Applewhite, and sisters Mary Lou Applewhite and Alice Watt.
Mel made a career in the grocery business, and spent his retirement with family near Houston, Texas. During his life he lived in Louisiana, California, Colorado and Texas. He will be interred at Houston National Cemetery in Houston with full military honors.
