Melissa Blair Michener

Melissa Blair (Powell) Michener, daughter of Louise Harper Powell and Fred Bouch Powell, was born on November 29, 1959 in Decatur, Alabama. She grew up in Greenwood, S.C. Graduating from Mars Hill University in 1981 with a degree in English, she later studied to become a technical writer and worked for IBM for many years.

Melissa’s friends at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and those in the Raleigh area knew her for her insight, humor, intelligence, love of small animals (hamsters), strength, endurance and sheer determination.

These traits served her well when, in December, 1999, she was hospitalized with severe pneumonia which became ARDS. At the end of January, she awoke on a respirator after three weeks in an induced coma.

Her last 23 years were spent struggling to survive with extremely reduced lung capacity, the final 10 or 15 years on permanent oxygen. Melissa was a warrior who, with support from neighbors and friends, managed to stay in her home until she passed on January 15, 2024.

Melissa will be remembered and dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held in Raleigh on March 16th at 11 AM in the chapel of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.