Melissa Gayle McQueen

Melissa Gayle Gibson McQueen who was born and raised in South Montgomery County, Alabama, the oldest daughter of Henry “Hoot” and Barbara Ann Gibson on March 16, 1958, passed away unexpectedly in her home on February 17, 2021 due to natural causes.

Missy went to and graduated from South Montgomery County High School in 1976 and her extensive education background included a doctoral degree with a focus in Human Resources. Following in her father’s footsteps, as the true Daddy’s Girl that she was, Missy joined the United States Army National Guard in 1976.

She enjoyed the numerous and adventurous opportunities that her career allowed her to experience; to include a tour abroad in 2008 serving as a Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) Advisor to multi-national Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she was honored for her service with the Bronze Star Medal. Near the end of her military career, she fought with the decision to “go full Bird” as Daddy called it or hang it up. Retiring as Lieutenant Colonel Melissa Gibson McQueen was one of the proudest moments of her life; she loved being like her Daddy, she loved being a soldier; however, she loved being a “Gigi” and “Mudder” to her grandchildren more. It was her most distinguished honor, outside of her children, her family, and her career.

Melissa Gayle held tight to her faith; she was an active member of her Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Ramer, Alabama. She enjoyed being a service to her family, friends, and community. Melissa Gayle will be remembered as a giver; if she could help, she would without hesitation and if she couldn’t help herself, she knew someone that could. She was a strong woman dependent solely on God and making her Daddy proud. Always willing, ready, and able to cook, bake, or feed anyone was one of her biggest and most simplistic contributions to her time in this life. Melissa Gayle was the thrift shop going and flea market hunting queen; her retired weekly routine always included a random visit.

Melissa Gayle is survived by her parents, Henry and Barbara Gibson, her brothers Conrad Missildine (Cheryl) and Billy Gibson (Connie), her sister Felicia Bryant (Danny), her children, Mitchell Lee Haubert (Amy), Melissa Cayanna Miller (Brian), Amanda Louise and Shayna Gray McQueen, her grandchildren, Mary Grace, Mitchell Lee III, Samuel Jedediah, Henry George, Chloe Belle, and Thaddeus Haubert, Alexandria Lee Sellers, and Oaklynn Gayle Reese, her Aunt Sue, and all her first cousins who were like her sisters and brothers.

Melissa Gayle is preceded in death by her husband, George Edward McQueen, Jr. They were married August 22, 1986, shared three daughters of their own and brought together three sons and a daughter making it a full house with a lifetime’s worth of memories. She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, family, friends, and all who were privileged to meet and know her.