Melissa Stowers Smith

RURAL RETREAT, Va.

Melissa Stowers Smith, age 56 – Melissa, Missy, MeMe or Mama Bear, whatever you were lucky enough to call her, was born November 12, 1965 and departed from this world Sunday, May 15, 2022.

Melissa was simply the best mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and bonus grandma that anyone could ask for. Missy graduated from Rural Retreat High School, Class of 1984 – she was a forever “Indian.” After school, for most of her life, she worked in the medical field in some capacity where she made many friends. She was wildly talented and created many, many crafts during her years. If you are lucky enough to have something she made, you have a treasure. Melissa was an avid Raiders and Hokie fan. She was the Crew Chief for her dad during his many years of drag racing. The beach was her most favorite place on earth. She loved nothing more than sitting by the ocean with her toes in the sand. Melissa loved her family fiercely and they were the most important things in her life – she was in ours. We are broken and lost without her and she will forever remain in our hearts and lives daily.

More important than anything was her love for God and her Faith. This is a time of great sorrow and pain, but let this be a time to remind one another just how precious the gift of life is. Take this moment to be a little more faithful, more forgiving, more kind, more grateful – be more “Melissa like”.

Don’t forget our sweet girl. Talk about her, talk to her, share your memories with whomever you can. If we all do this, she’ll live on forever in all of us. Till we see you again, our love, we’ll be missing you.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charlie and Hazel Blevins of Cedar Springs, and Bob and Virgie Stowers of Groseclose.

Left with trying to figure out how to go on without her and cherishing her memory is her daughter who selflessly took care of Melissa 24/7 for the last 7 – 8 weeks, Kelsey Ray Smith; her son Tyler Smith who held things together on the homefront so she wouldn’t have to worry – she was definitely a “mama bear” to her kiddo’s; her loving parents whom she was so close with, Ray and Wanda Stowers of Rural Retreat; sisters, other half of each other and best friends – Tammy Bales (Alan) of Atkins and Shelly Stowers of Rural Retreat; nieces whom she loved like her own and was a second mama to – Alisyn Hartsock (Ben) of Rural Retreat and Lockie Bales of Atkins; bonus granddaughter, Lockie Elizabeth Hartsock of Rural Retreat; special friend, former husband, and father to Tyler and Kelsey, Steve Smith of Marion; and best fuzzy friend, Gracie Mae; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Memorial services will begin at 8 p.m. with Pastor Alan Jones and Pastor Adam Linkous officiating.

The family invites everyone to visit our Memorial Table and share your fondest memory of Missy with us.

To share memories of Melissa Stowers Smith, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Melissa’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.