Melissa Louise Behrens, age 74, of Gadsden, Alabama passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 am Central at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, 156 South 9th Street, Gadsden, Alabama, with The Reverend Carl M. Saxton II will officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at a reception in the parish hall. Final resting place will be at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter columbarium.
Melissa Hosmer Behrens was born August 14, 1948, a daughter of Mary Lucille Wooten Hosmer and Ernest Lawrence Hosmer. She graduated from Gadsden High School, where she participated in the choir. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson College in 1969, where she was a member of the choir and of Pi Sigma Alpha national political science honor society. She also served as costume seamstress for Judson theater productions. She studied music at the University of Mississippi in the master’s degree program. Melissa and her beloved husband, Dave’s love story began during these graduate school days and became an example of lifelong commitment and devotion when they wed in 1971.
The newlyweds lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Melissa worked in the psychology department at the University of Virginia. After the couple moved to Gadsden along with baby daughter Leigh, Melissa taught piano and was an active member of the Alabama Music Teachers Association. She and Dave enjoyed participating in the local Welcome Wagon organization. As a member of the Gadsden Service Guild, she enjoyed volunteer work with special needs adults. Her greatest joy, her family, grew even more with the arrival of son Jon.
A lifelong learner, Melissa eventually returned to the classroom. After first obtaining her teaching certificate through Jacksonville State University, she proceeded to earn her Master of Science in Education as an Instructional Media major. Later, she earned the degree of Educational Specialist in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama. Her career as an elementary librarian allowed her to develop literacy among the children of Duck Springs Elementary School while sharing her love of music, as she often played classical music while children made their selections. Committed to enrichment, she wrote, secured, and implemented several grants during her tenure.
In addition to music, Melissa relished the challenge of a good game. An avid bridge player, she treasured lifelong friendships forged over the card table as much as the game itself. Seeking an additional challenge after her children had left the nest, she took up mah jongg and enjoyed learning and playing with dear friends for many years.
Firm in her faith, Melissa was a devout member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter. There, she participated in the Daughters of the King ministry. In later years, she and her husband Dave served in the Brown Bag Ministry and the Rice and Beans ministry to support those in need. Her great delight was spending time with her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Melissa was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Augustus Behrens; her parents, Ernest Lawrence Hosmer and Mary Lucille Wooten Hosmer; as well as her sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Behrens Joynt, and brother-in-law, Richard Blaine Marshall.
Survivors include her daughter, Leigh (Jonathan) Koon of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; son, Jon (Shellie Harris) Behrens of Birmingham, Alabama; two grandsons, Harris Behrens and James August Behrens of Birmingham; granddaughter, Harmon Koon of Ponte Vedra Beach; sister, Marilyn Hosmer Marshall of Birmingham; sister-in-law, Sara Behrens (Robert) Porter of Virginia; brother-in-law, Robert Laird Joynt; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the Brown Bag Ministry of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, Gadsden, AL; the Episcopal Kyle Home of Gadsden, AL; Duck Springs Elementary School Library, Attalla, AL. Special thanks to her devoted caregiver Maggie Loyd; dear neighbors Virginia and Steve Bray, Ethel and Wayne Ellidon, Charlotte and Terry A. Jones, and Eloise Simmons; Father Carl Saxton and the Holy Comforter church family; the staff of St. Martin’s in the Pines; Compassus hospice team; Comfort Care hospice team.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Behrens family.
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