MELVA BALDWIN WRIGHT CUMMINGS December 10, 1928 March 23, 2018 Long time music teacher, Melva Lorraine Baldwin Wright Cummings, 89, of Paradise, passed away March 23, 2018, after a courageous battle with leukemia. Melva was born December 10, 1928, to Orville and Gladys (Hartwick) Baldwin, in St. Helena, California. She was the third child, and first daughter in the Baldwin family. Melva grew up in Angwin, California, where she graduated from Pacific Union College Preparatory school in 1946. She attended Pacific Union College for two years, and later graduated from University of Hawaii, with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance, in 1959; and from University of the Pacific, with a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance in 1972. She was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, a national music honor society, while attending University of the Pacific. Melva married Earl William Wright on June 12, 1949, one week after his graduation from college. They had two children; Linda Marie, and Edward Earl. Melva was a music teacher for most of her life, with brief forays into teaching English. She taught piano, marimba, and organ at Lodi Academy, Hawaiian Mission Academy, Thunderbird Academy, Monterey Bay Academy, and Pacific Union College. She also taught music in a public school program for native Americans run by the U.S. Government in Kayenta, Arizona. She taught private piano lessons in her home for over 40 years. Melva's life was centered around her faith, family and her music. Melva loved music, had perfect pitch, and could play any song she heard. She was an avid back packer, skier, gardener and lover of people. She enjoyed hosting receptions at her home, traveling, and attending concerts. She found joy in helping and encouraging others and served in leadership roles in her church and community. Melva believed in Christian education and raised money to help students gain their education. She was always ready for adventure and fun. She lived life with courage and zest. Her unique ability to make people feel important and loved won her many friends. She is deeply loved by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Melva is preceded in death by her first husband, Earl Wright, 1970; and her second husband, Tom Cummings, 2017; and her two brothers, Bernell and Dalton Baldwin. She is survived by her 2 children: Edward Earl Wright of Ooltewah, TN., and Linda Marie Wright Wysong Becker of Lincoln, NE.; 5 step children, Lou Anne Cummings, John Cummings, Sharon Streifling, Pam Beitz, and Scott Cummings. She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren, Nolan Wright, Dan Wysong, David Wright, Melissa Negretti, Stephen Wright and Emily Wright; and 15 step grandchildren; as well as 17 great grandchildren, and 3 step great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at Paradise Seventh-day Adventist Church, March 3, at 3:30 p.m. Memorial scholarships have been set up in her name at Paradise Adventist Academy, P. O. Box 2169, Paradise, CA 95967; and Monterey Bay Academy, 783 San Andreas Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076.

Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Feb. 25, 2018