Arline D. Mellichamp

Arline Pooser Deery Mellichamp, 104, died on January 19, 2022. She was just eight days away from celebrating her 105th birthday.

Her Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, January 24, 2022, at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Hwy, Charleston. Burial will follow at St. Andrews Churchyard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Arline was born in Charleston on January 27, 1917, to the late George Pooser and Minnie Lee Jaques Pooser. Her father died when she was very young, and her mother married Oscar Drake.

Arline was blessed with two wonderful marriages. Her first marriage was to Ernest M. Deery on November 30, 1935, at the age of 18. They were married for 28 years and had three children. Ernest died March 15, 1963.

Her second marriage was to Edward H. Mellichamp on July 31, 1982. Their marriage lasted 24 years. Eddie died March 8, 2006.

Arline went to work at the Charleston Naval Shipyard in 1965 and retired on July 31, 1984.

She was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. During her lifetime she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and helped wherever she was needed. Arline served as Director of the Altar Guild for many years, retiring in 2009.

Arline loved re-potting and tending to her plants. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, reading, crocheting, word puzzles and baking cakes.

She loved all animals especially her cats, Jonathan and Smokey (now waiting on her at the Rainbow Bridge). Mom swore no more pets but along came Lily, the cat.

Preceding her in death besides her husbands and parents were two sisters, Jannie Jager and Eulalee Rhodes as well as two brothers, Paul and Manning Pooser.

Arline is survived by two sons, Ernest Deery and Richard Deery; daugther, Rosalind D. Grayson; two grandsons, Ernie Deery (Cindy) and Shawn B. Deery; one niece, May Deery Lofgreen; several nephews, Larry Deery, Marvin Rhodes, Jimmy Jagar and Jimmy Pooser and her granddog, Tilly. The family wishes to acknowledge her caregivers, Virginia and Allison.

Donations may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1393 Miles Dr, Charleston, SC 29407; Pet Helpers, 1447 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412; Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406 or to a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.