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Obituary For Mrs. Melissa Lovella Barron
Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mrs. Melissa Lovella Barron will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 1:00 PM, at Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, 6580 Church St, Riverdale, GA 30274.
Interment: Private
Due to the rise in COVID we require that everyone attending the viewing and service to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Melissa Duffy Barron (mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt) gained her heavenly wings on the afternoon of Friday, August 5, 2022 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Melissa was born on October 19, 1947, in Evansville, IN to James and Melissa (Green) Duffy. She grew up surrounded by her loving family that included six (6)sisters. She graduated from Benjamin Bosse High School in Evansville, IN, then moved to Malvern, AR to live with her grandparents. She met her first husband Bennie McKinney, Sr. In Hot Springs, AR, where they raised their children. In 1993, Melissa married William Barron, of Hot Springs, AR, who precedes her in death.
In 2004, she moved to Smyrna, GA where she resided with her daughter Verla, to help care for her grandchildren – the loves of her life. At the time of her passing, she resided in Marietta, GA with her son and daughter-in-love, Bennie and Jacci.
Through the years, Melissa’s exemplary administrative and leadership skills afforded her employment that included National Rejectors Inc. (Hot Springs, AR) as a linesperson, CSO Head Start (Hot Springs, AR) as a teacher and Center Director, Hot Springs Housing Authority (Hot Springs, AR) as HUD/Section 8 Director, where she retired. After retiring, she worked at Abilities Unlimited, Inc (Hot Springs, AR) as a receptionist, then moved to Georgia where she worked at MUST Ministries(Marietta, GA) as receptionist and front desk clerk, and Liberty Thrift Store (Marietta, GA) as store clerk.
Melissa is preceded in death by her mother and father,four (4) sisters Sharon Thomas, Peggy Gaines, Cecile Wilson, Susie Gathings, and her spouse, William Barron.
Melissa was truly a loving and caring woman, selflesslygiving her time to others, as she simultaneouslyincorporated those same treasures in motherhood. The love and devotion she showed her family exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman. She was an active member of Life Changer’s Outreach Ministries, where she served as Usher, Historian, and Church Mother.
She is survived and cherished by: - Daughter: Laryssa McKinney Blunt (Dane) of Hot Springs, AR; granddaughter Alyson Bohlar (Rashad); and great-grandchildren Austen Perkins and JhettPerkins.
- Son: Bennie McKinney, Jr. (Jacci) of Marietta, GA; grandchildren Derrius McKinney, Jazmyn McKinney(Alvin-posthumously), Christon McKinney (Kaleigh), Issac McKinney; and great-grandchildren Aiden Daniel, Zyaire McKinney, Kaivone McKinney.
- Daughter: Verla McKinney Calhoun (Anthony) of College Park, GA; grandchildren, Errin Calhoun (Nia), Eris Calhoun, Rylee Calhoun, Damien Bryant; and great-grandchildren Errin Calhoun II, and Kayden Calhoun.
- Son: James Bowling (Christi), Evansville IN.
- Daughter: LaTasha McKinney (James) of North Little Rock, AR; grandchildren, Imani McKinney (Jon)(Marietta GA); Eric Temple (Marietta, GA), and Jada McKinney (North Little Rock, AR); and great-granddaughter Joycelynn Rice.
- Sisters: Oddie Stewart (Kevin) and Bettye Ann Rucker of Evansville, IN; and a host of nieces, nephews, and relatives (all who affectionately called her “Lissie”) and friends.
Entrusted to Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home of Riverdale (770)909-8800
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Pam Herrington sent Living Spirit Dishgarden for Mrs. Melissa Lovella Barron - August 10, 2022
Laryssa, you and your family are in our hearts. We love you so much.
Pam, Babs and Cindy
For Spirit never dies. Here for a while to do our work and then onward to even greater work. I am blessed to have met your mother...to have experienced the essence of her spirit in human form. It is not easy to be left here without a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a sibling, a friend, who loved you unconditionally. Yet, there is strength and endurance in the power of love.
Verla, I was blessed to meet your mother at your home and cherish the opportunity to have been in the midst of such love and genuine kindness. Meeting your mother, I understood where the generosity and love you so easily extend to others began. You learned it from your mother. I pray on the particularly difficult days you and your family look to one another - for there you will find your mother - living and still loving in and through each of you. My deepest condolences and continual prayers. Rev. Goldia "Gigi" Brown
My deepest condolences to you and your family for the loss of your dear Mother. May the Prince of Peace cover you and bring you continued comfort during this difficult time. Love you much, Jonathan and Tjuana Martin 🌹
Your mother (Granny) was a truly special person. Death leaves a Heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a Memory no one can steal. She will be missed greatly! My heartfelt condolences for our loss.
John Kelley and Family
On behalf of the Hampton family of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Laryssa Blunt and the entire family...
Sending prayers for comfort and peace! We love you! Mack and Vanessa
Praying for you all in these times. Love 💕 you all. Christa.R
To Laryssa, Bubbie, and Verla - sending our sincere condolences to you for the loss of your Mother. You are in our prayers. Be encouraged as you are navigating through this difficult time. 💜🙏🏽
Deb and Mrs Carrie
Rest in heavenly peace Melissa! Earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal.🙏🏽 Love to Verla and the Family...Ms G
My thoughts and prayers go out to family and love ones. Sincerely, Andrea Paschal - Weatherspoon
Laryssa, Bennie, and Vee, my sincere condolences 💐 I know how hard this is and my prayer for you is that god wraps his arms around you and comforts you during this most unimaginable moment. I love you all dearly. Mimi
Rest In Peace Dear Aunt. 🙏🏽
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
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