Her first Job was at the Fox Theater working the concession stand which is where she developed her love of movies, photos and film. At this time in life she met Nolan Lester Kinsey whom she later married and had two daughters Cynthia Jean Kinsey and Jan Marie Kinsey. As life happened when they divorced Melissa and her two girls moved to California where they lived for 6 years then moved back to ATL to be close to her very large family.
Melissa started in the photography business driving a route delivering film to labs all over the Southeast. By then she was an accomplished Photographer and Photo Proccessing Manager.
Soon after Mary Shadix entered their lives as they became sisters for life when Melissa’s brother, Terry married Jean Shadix who was Mary’s sister.
She was blessed by her daughter Cynthia with the birth of her first grandchild, Jessica Kathleen. 6 years later she was blessed once again when Misty Lynn joined the girl gang as her youngest daughter. Daughter, Jan gave her three more grandchildren: Eddie, Tonya, and Wayne. She ended up raising Tonya as her own daughter.
Over the years she worked as the Editing Manager at Llewyn Labs, Toco Color Lab, and HS Photo. Melissa soon established herself as an independent photographer for weddings, little league sports, and schools. She never really retired and would go back to HS Photo until she could not work due to health problems.
Things she was involved in: Dressing up as Santa Claus,Beauty Pagents, Little
General Cloggers, taking pictures of Elvis attending concerts which led to an invitation to
Graceland by Elvis’ father,Vernon Presley after she sent a life size photo she had taken.
Favorite things: the color red, especially her 66 mustang , Panama City Beach, Braves, softball, Dollywood, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Dolly Parton, Elvis, Patsy Cline, Grand Ole Opry, listening to gospel, playing the piano, taking us to the fair and playing skee ball, Skip-Bo, solitare, and pinball, watching Wheel of Fortune, Lifetime movies, westerns, especially Little House on the Prairie and Bonanza
Her most joyfull times of the year were Christmas at her house and Easter at Granny’s then her sister Shirley’s. She loved having all her loved ones together at the same time! They ate, laughed, cried and played Skip Bo.
These sisters were close and could tell some stories that would make you laugh so hard your stomach would hurt for days.
Food- especially Mary’s cooking- peach cobbler with extra dumplings, cornbread and pinto beans, sweet tea, tomato sandwich, biscuits and gravy, and homney grits with black coffee and a drop of milk in the white cup 😊and don’t forget “bananer” sandwiches on Wonder bread with peanut butter.
Loved ones: Sisters- still living Mary Shadix and Elamandy Peace,
Pre- deceased by her:
Brothers -Hubert, Bud, Bob, Terry, Jerry
Sisters- Marie, Bill, Shirley, Nell, Sara,
Daughter- Jan Marie Hendrix
She is survived by::
Daughters- Cindy Marlin (husband Jeremy), Misty Smith
Grandchildren- Jessica Sisselman (husband Adam), Tonya Williams (husband Kevin), Eddie Walker (wife Ashley), Wayne Hendrix.
Great grandchildren- Haley, Hannah, Trey, Brittney, Andrew.
Many more who will sign their names to this book later
Favorite sayings:
“We’ll see”
“And everything like that”
“You’re daddy wasn’t a glass blower”
“You didn’t have to do that”
“Hot Diggity Dog”
“I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck”
Nanaisms:
Pantyma City= Panama City
Kmark=Kmart
Chicargo=Chicago
Pocket book = purse
Britches= pants
Redicalus= ridiculous
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