MELANIE DENISE STAFFORD entered this blessed life on May 5, 1959 in Barnesville, Georgia, to the parentage of the late Mr. John W. Stafford and Mrs. Laura Jean Smith Stafford. She was reared in a Christian home and connected to Christ at West Mount Sinai Baptist Church. She started her life of service by attending school in Lamar County.

Melanie attended Lamar County Comprehensive High School, where she celebrated the accomplishments of the honor roll, FHA, Keywanette Sec, 4-H, Beta Club, Drill Team, Trojan’s Rap Editor, Who’s Who, Student Council, and one of her proudest: a cheerleader. Her Senior Superlative in high school: was Most Cooperative. She graduated with the class of 1977. Upon completion of high school, she matriculated at Troy State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and English. She also joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Melanie entered a life of service to our country and joined the United States Army on June 30, 1986. She served in the Department of Education, DHHS, EPA, Bureau of Prisons, Army Reserves, and she retired from CDC on March 31, 2020. She lived in Nuremberg, Germany from 1983-1989 while serving in the military. Melanie entered Army Reserves on August 17, 2003 and retired on May 5, 2019/

Melanie was a proud member of Passion For Line Dancers. Melanie was beautiful, stylish, talented, smart, and outgoing. Her many talents included taking pictures, sewing, and planting flowers. Melanie loved her family, traveling and shopping. Melanie loved her family, and she was the proud mother of two children. Melanie departed this life on May 26, 2021, and has now rejoined her loving parents and twin sisters who preceded her in death.Melanie’s love for her family will live on in the hearts of : her two children, Mr. Antoine J. Lee of Austell, and Ms. Marlena C. Robinson of Morrow; sisters, Mrs. Candace Stafford Thomas (Marion) of Hampton and Ms. Keisha Stafford of Barnesville; aunts, Alene Rutherford of Forsyth, Ms. Lucy Mae Moore of Decatur, and Ms. Lilly Mae Stafford of Barnesville; great-aunt, Ms. Catherine Walker of Barnesville; niece, Candalyn Thomas; and a host of other cousins, relatives and many dear friends who all will cherish her memory.

Grave Side Services was held Saturday June 5, 2021 West Mount Sinai Cemetery