Shirley E. Melker was born in High Point, NC to Bishop and Mrs.
Burt Rucker. She is the second oldest of seven children. She graduated
from William Penn High School. She married the (late) William
(Brother Billy) Melker and they became the parents of five children.
She has four grandchildren. In 1965, she was instrumental in establishing
The Greater Holy Temple Church in Urbana, Illinois under the pastorate
of her husband where she served in all phases of its ministry.
Since the death of her husband, she has served as Interim Pastor
and presently as its Assistant Pastor.
She graduated from Parkland College with an Associate Degree
in Secretarial Science. For the past twenty-three years, she has
been employed by the University of Illinois Office of Instructional
Resources as a Secretary Transcriber.
She was the first female to broadcast "black" gospel
from Radio Station WKID; hosted The Gospel Caravan from WEFT;
received a plaque as One of Ten Outstanding Black Women in Champaign-Urbana
and received commendations from Governor James Edgar, Representative
Tim Johnson and the mayors of Champaign and Urbana for her outstanding
service. She is a member of the Champaign-Urbana Ministerial Alliance.
In 1998, she became an entrepreneur and opened her own business
as a funeral home owner, Melker-Bluitt-Parker Mortuary, Inc.,
704 North Fourth Street, Champaign, Illinois.
Mrs. Melker enjoys teaching and preaching the Gospel as an evangelist
and good music.
Shirley E. Melker
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denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.