SALLSTROM: A lady of life-giving acts, Meldra Harris Panchielli 


Published 2:31 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Meldra Panchelli, an angel of mercy, who has been well-loved by so many, died recently. We will all miss her. When I was first diagnosed with leukemia in 1999, I was invited to participate in a Relay for Life raising money for cancer research. This is how I met Meldra, a cancer survivor of 60 years, who led the way in the Survivor’s Lap for many years until her family encouraged get home before dark and save her strength for other things.

A very active member of First Baptist Church, Meldra gave me a crepe myrtle plant as a souvenir of the event. She breathed a breath of life into that small bush, and now we have two of Meldra’s Myrtles blooming in our yard as life-giving symbols of hope. Very soon afterward, this precious Christian lady put me on her personal prayer list and asked intercessors at First Baptist to send many inspiring prayers of encouragement while I was receiving treatments. What a gift!

Meldra had the sweetest spirit, smile and sense of humor! At her wedding to the late Ray Panchelli, Rev. Jerry Bradley announced he had to hurry through the ceremony because she was 81 and he was 83, and they had no time to waste! They both always were in a hurry to do good!

I worked closely with Meldra on the Habitat board for many years. Though she didn’t use email, she kept up with everything and never criticized or complained. On the contrary, she always had a very positive attitude in dealing with difficulties and her

her wisdom of age and experience enabled her to be extremely effective.

What Meldra accomplished amazing things while building – crawling under houses to install insulation, fixing anything inside that needed her attention, and she came on-site with food, water, etc. — anything she had to share. What hospitality she shared with international college student volunteers in her home, and many were impressed that she spent many hours at  Harriet’s Closet at the hospital helping cancer patients and greeting people in their rooms in the hospital sharing good will, papers, flowers, etc. She delivered Meals on Wheels for many years, as well.

It always made my day to see Meldra! The last time we met was several months ago at Georgia Cancer Specialists. Despite her returning disease, she was the same cheerful, chipper,  sweet old soul. When she turned 100, I sent her a birthday card and note. She replied: “How thoughtful of you to write and encourage me to ‘keep on keeping on!’ God is soooo good, isn’t he?”

Meldra reminded me of Dorcas in Acts 9:36-42, a woman devoted to good works and acts of charity whose influence was well known. When her friends were distressed at her death, St. Peter brought her back to life, and because of this, many believed in the Lord. MANY will miss Meldra, but we rejoice that we knew her.

Dr. John E. Sallstrom

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion at GCSU

First President of Milledgeville-Baldwin County Habitat for Humanity