Dr. Melba Ann Bellard Venison
Dr. Melba Ann Bellard Venison left this earthly life on August 10, 2025 in Dallas, TX. She was a native of Lawtell, LA. Melba followed her two older siblings to Southern University and graduated in the fall of 1970 with a degree in English Education. While at Southern, she was initiated into the Beta Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
She served proudly as an educator in the New Orleans Public School System for over 30 years finding her home at McDonogh 35 High School. She was a co-founder of Bel-Mor Associates, a business that prepared teachers to navigate rising standards without sacrificing rigor or compassion. Their work shaped countless teaching careers and eventually found a lasting home at the University of New Orleans.
In the early 2000s, Melba deepened her commitment to educational equity by earning her PhD, focusing on early childhood education and its vital role in fostering lifelong literacy. Her passion for access and opportunity led her to Southern University at New Orleans, where she helped establish the university’s honors program and built strong outreach to local high schools—encouraging students to see higher education as not only attainable, but transformative.
She is survived by her son Marcus Venison (SUBR Spr, 2007), his wife Erica and their children Carter Dotson and Charlee. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Make a contribution to the Paul and Norma Duell Memorial Endowed Scholarship in her honor.