Panorama Winter 2025 Publication - Flipbook - Page 10
Melinda Dellert receives the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation Influencer Award from The Summit
Executive Director Kristi Martin and VBH Foundation Vice President Jodi Leonard. Melinda joins two other
Influencer Award recipients Hazel Harrison (left) and Virginia Marshburn (right).
Melinda Dellert receives Influencer Award
M
just visited a nursing home. Their
shared love for music and faith
blossomed into a 36-year marriage.
Melinda, who grew up in a family
of faith at the Moravian Church,
spent her early years filled with
music and community service.
Together, they moved to
Lynchburg, where Jim served at
Westminster Presbyterian Church
and later helped establish Forrest
Community Church, retiring after
18 years.
elinda Dellert recently
received the Virginia
Baptist Homes
Foundation Influencer Award.
She began piano lessons at the
age of five and often played in her
church, nurturing a lifelong love for
music.
Melinda’s professional journey
began in Winston Salem, where she
worked primarily as a secretary.
After moving to Lynchburg in
1976 with her husband Jim, she
continued her career at a private
girls’ school for nine years.
Melinda and Jim met on Christmas
Eve through mutual friends. Jim,
a classically trained musician and
pastor, brought an autoharp to
a Christmas gathering, having
Melinda, who moved to The
Summit 10 years ago, is deeply
influenced by the sense of extended
family within her community,
finding joy and support among her
neighbors.
“I believe that I am created for a
purpose and I am part of a greater
creation and my service is to reach
out beyond myself and bring what
joy I can to others. Each of us, I
believe, are gifted particularly by
God and mine is music. I’ve used it
throughout my life in church, my
school life and in my communities,”
Melinda said.
In the coming year, Melinda hopes
to continue playing the piano for
worship services and in Assisted
Living, sharing her musical talents
with the community.
“At 84, I see how music has brought
joy and comfort to me. To share
something like that is particularly
special to me. I feel I was given the
gift and it’s my duty in response to
the gift, to share it with others.”
Melinda is an active member of her
community, serving on the church
choir, resident council, and book
club.
She enjoys crocheting shawls for
those in need and is always ready to
lend a helping hand.
“I was quite humbled by receiving
the Influencer Award. There are
so many here that give so much
of themselves to this community,”
Melinda said.
