Melissa Lissy Leigh Townsend

Melissa was a graduate of South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte NC and Greensboro College in Greensboro NC. She was a Senior Customer Service with United Guaranty/AIG Company in Greensboro NC and absolutely loved her job.

Melissa loved to sing and sang in the choir at South Mecklenburg High School and First Baptist Church Matthews. She had an infectious smile and a love for people. It was often said that she changed lives and touched the heart of so many people. She was a very kind person and couldn’t do enough for others. Melissa loved to bake cupcakes and her work family reaped the benefits of her joy for baking.

She loved all children, and wanting to be around them all the time. She was absolutely the best aunt to her 7 wonderful nieces and nephews and loved them dearly.

Melissa is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Jack and Betty Wallace; paternal grandparents, Robert and Susie Townsend, and an uncle, Wayne Townsend.

She is survived by her parents Jerry and Patsy Townsend; two brothers, JT and his wife Courtney and Brent and he wife Sharon; her 7 nieces and nephews, Sydnie, Emma, Joshua, Gabe, Reese, Mady and Nathan as well as several uncles, aunts and cousins.

Melissa’s family would like thank all of her work family, college and high school friends for all the support you have given her through this journey. You all helped her to fight this battle for as long as she did. Your visits and special times you surprised her with were such a joy to her and really lifted her spirits.

A visitation will be on Tuesday evening, April 26 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at McEwen Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte. A service to celebrate Melissa’s life and Homegoing will be on Wednesday April 27 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church - Matthews, 185 S Trade St, Matthews. Entombment will immediately following at the Mausoleum at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte.

To honor Melissa's life, donations may be given in Melissa’s memory to either the Childrens Ministry or the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church-Matthews, 185 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105 http://www.fbcmatthews.org/give/