Melinda Archer's Obituary
Melinda Gibson Archer of Dallas, Texas died peacefully with her family at her home on Sunday morning, August 30th.
Born February 11, 1946, Dallas to Horace Foster Gibson and Inez Gibson. She later moved to Tulsa, Ok where she grew up. Melinda graduated from Monte Cassino School in Tulsa and then began college in Briarcliff, New York finally graduating from Southern Methodist University.
The next chapter of her life was focused on service to her community through organizations such as The Junior League of Dallas, The Dallas Woman’s Club, The 500 Inc. of Dallas (Vice President), Shakespeare Festival (President), Altar Guild at Saint Michael and All Angels Church, Saint Michael’s Women’s Exchange, and the Pierian Book Club. She was a member of the Cipango Club, The Dallas Film Festival, and many other arts organizations in Dallas. In her free time Melinda liked to spend time at their second home in Durango, Colorado and sailing on her boat at Chandler’s Landing.
Later in life she decided to follow her calling to become an Episcopal Priest, studying at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. After graduating she moved to the Dominican Republic where she was ordained and spent several years serving the community as a bilingual priest before moving back to the US. She served as an Assistant Rector in Richardson, and eventually moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she served as the head priest of her own church. After spending several years in Phoenix, she then moved to another head priest position in Lincoln City, Oregon. Missing friends and family, Melinda decided to come back home to Dallas and worked as an assistant rector.
After retirement, Melinda enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She is survived by her partner, Steve Madsen, her son, Gibson Bardin of Dallas and his wife, Erin Bardin. Five grandchildren, Reilly Street, Sophie Bardin, Berkeley Bardin, Foster Bardin and Kenneth Bardin IV, her brother Michael Addison Gibson of Houston Texas and his wife Donna Gibson, and beloved dogs Babe and Bo and far too many elephant collectibles to possibly count.
She was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Bardin III, sisters Julie Pringle and Pat Breckinridge of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Saint Michael’s and All Angels Church, 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75225. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
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