Melissa Smith passed away at home after a battle with ovarian cancer on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Her mother, Becky, and caregiver who is also named Melissa, were by her side. Some of the last words she spoke were "the essence of life is love."

Melissa was born in Newberry, SC, graduated from Winthrop University, where she participated in chorus and majored in English. She did further graduate study at Western Carolina. She worked in medical records at the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, and then later as a library assistant at Newberry County Library.

Melissa loved music, reading, and studying and she had a keen, intuitive sense of details regarding people and her environment. She had a special caring in her heart for the lost, hurting, marginal people in this world. She also loved animals, especially watching the birds at the feeder and the deer grazing behind her home.

Her special college friends sent her flowers every month during her illness, which she enjoyed so much. Thanks to Katie, Yvonne, Amber, Dena, and Liz.

She bonded with her caregiver, Melissa. Special thanks to Agape Hospice for their loving care.

Melissa is survived by her mother, Becky Smith; her sisters, Julie Crooks (Brian) and Nancy Smith; and her brother, Dean Smith (Mattie). She has many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her dad, Harold Smith; and grandparents, Harold and Ernestine Smith and Jim and Laurene Dean.

Graveside services will be conducted by Rev. Joe Long at 3:00 PM, Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Newberry Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends following the service.

The family suggests memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1005 College St. Newberry, SC 29108  or Newberry County Animal Control, 240 Public Works Drive, Newberry, SC 29108.

Memories and messages may be shared with Melissa's family on her tribute page at whitakerfuneralhome.com.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Smith family.