Cassandra Melvin

Cassandra Melvin 67 was born to the late Thomas and Curtise DuBose on October 11, 1957, at the US Naval Hospital in Barstow, California.  She is the youngest of four children.  She was a happy child and loved the desert life becoming a true “desert rat”. The family made several moves while her dad was in the military.  In late 1967, the family moved back to Oceanside, California where their father retired from the Marine Corps in 1969.  She graduated from Carlsbad High School in the class of 1976.

After high school, she started a career working in banking and finance.  In 1982 she moved back to Cincinnati and resided with her grandmother.

In Cincinnati, Cassandra worked as a receptionist in a medical office for several years.  Dr. Melvin became the head of the practice and promoted Cassandra to the position of Office Manager.  Together, they created and developed the medical practice into one of Cincinnati’s most prominent African American medical practices in the city.  During the next several years, Cassandra’s roles in the office expanded to several positions. Her professionalism and demonstrated expertise were far beyond any of her education or skilled training. She created an OSHA – occupational safety and health administration manual and a CLIA – clinical laboratory improvement amendment manual for office safety that was shared by many other local medical practices in the city.  She was dedicated and committed to the office and the care of the patients.

In late 1996 Cassandra was diagnosed with cancer, but God had her in his arms and she survived.

On Tuesday November 25, 1997 Dr. Melvin with family, friends and church family arranged a surprise wedding at Allen Temple  AME  Church officiated by the late Reverend Donald Jordan.  Then in 1999 Dr. Melvin  was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the  age of 47.

God provided them with a child, Shawn as his gift for their shared love.  Cassandra retired from work to provide care for the family.

Cassandra joined Keith as a member of Allen Temple AME Church.  She was loyal and dedicated serving with the Food Pantry and the sick and shut in visiting team.  She was the most caring and kind person you could ever know.  She was a strong spiritual family woman.

She was multi-talented.  She could fix anything and put anything together from a box.  She was artistically creative and a skilled interior decorator and designer.  She was an avid golfer, she loved to cook and listen to Gospel music every day. She read her Bible every night. She was a member of The Black and White Cancer Survivors Foundation.

She was a woman of great strength, compassion, empathy, love, kindness, dedication, loyalty, commitment, understanding and forgiveness.  She was a true friend.  She loved her family.  She was a courageous fighter in her illness and she trusted God.

Her most valued assets were her grandmother, her parents and siblings.  They called her “San Man”.  She cherished her husband, children and grandchildren most of all.  She valued her friendships, especially Tina, Tawana, and Maureen.  To all of us Cassandra was a ray of sunshine.  You never saw her without her being dressed to “the nines” and made up.  She was beautiful inside and out.  She will be missed by all.

She transitioned peacefully on Tuesday morning February 4, 2025 at home with her loving husband, Keith and her heroic son Shawn beside her.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, Thomas and     Curtise DuBose, and her brother Dwight.  She leaves to cherish her memory, husband Keith, daughter Brooke (Richard), sons Adam and Shawn, her sister Valerie (Dennis), and brother Tony; Grandchildren, Leila, Richard, Ben, Eden, Naznem, Noelle, and Arthur.  Nephews Michael (Rachae), Ryan (Laurel) Marte and a host of great nieces and nephews, and friends.

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