Our fellow Inland Theatre League judge, actor, and director, Melodie Narramore Yocum, passed away on Friday, September 15, after battling cancer for several months.

Memorial services for Melodie will be on Wednesday, September 19, at 1:30 PM.  Services will be held at Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church, across the street from California Baptist University, on the corner of Magnolia and Adams Avenues. Cards should be sent to Rev. Paul D. Yocum, c/o California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504.

Melodie began teaching and directing in 1977, including Biola University and beginning at California Baptist University in 1986.  She was an Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Theatre, as well as Theatre Director at California Baptist University.  Melodie had directed over 80 productions, including an excellent final production of Seussical the Musical at CBU in March.  She received several Inland Theatre League Awards of Excellence over the years, including directing the 2004 CBU production of The Miracle Worker.  

Melodie grew up in Pasadena in the family of Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Narramore.  She attended Biola University in La Mirada graduating with a B.A. in Art Education in 1975.  Melodie received her M.A. in Theatre Arts at California State University Los Angeles in 1977.

Melodie performed special music and drama for local churches, including They Beheld His Glory (a one-woman play that included dramatic portrays of women that knew Christ) and In the Image of God.  She was also very active in dramatic presentations for her home church, Magnolia Avenue Baptist in Riverside. Melodie’s last performance was in CAT Corona’s summer production of Steel Magnolias.

Melodie cited Colossians 3:23 as a favorite Scripture on California Baptist University’s website, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”  And a favorite personal quote by Francis Schaeffer, “The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars.”

Melodie is survived by her husband Rev. Paul D. Yocum, son Byron Yocum, and stepchildren Tamara Yocum, Doug Yocum, and Bobbie Ann Brown.