Our beloved Matriarch Melissa Louella Barron

Melissa Duffy Barron (mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt) gained her heavenly wings on the afternoon of Friday, August 5, 2022, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Melissa was born on October 19, 1947, in Evansville, IN to James and Melissa (Green) Duffy.  She grew up surrounded by her loving family which included six sisters.  She graduated from Benjamin Bosse High School in Evansville, IN, then moved to Malvern, AR to live with her grandparents.  She met her first husband Bennie McKinney, Sr. In Hot Springs, AR, where they raised their children.  In 1993, Melissa married William Barron, of Hot Springs, AR, who precedes her in death.

In 2004, she moved to Smyrna, GA where she resided with her daughter Verla, to help care for her grandchildren – the loves of her life. At the time of her passing, she lived in Marietta, GA with her son and daughter-in-love, Bennie and Jacci.

Through the years, Melissa's exemplary administrative and leadership skills afforded her employment that included National Rejectors Inc. (Hot Springs, AR) as a linesperson, CSO Head Start (Hot Springs, AR) as a teacher and Center Director, Hot Springs Housing Authority (Hot Springs, AR) as HUD/Section 8 Director, where she retired.  After retiring, she worked at Abilities Unlimited, Inc (Hot Springs, AR) as a receptionist, then moved to Georgia where she worked at MUST Ministries (Marietta, GA) as a receptionist and front desk clerk, and Liberty Thrift Store (Marietta, GA) as a store clerk.

Melissa is preceded in death by her mother and father, four sisters Sharon Thomas, Peggy Gaines, Cecile Wilson, Susie Gathings, and her spouse, William Barron.

Melissa was truly a loving and caring woman, selflessly giving her time to others, as she simultaneously incorporated those same treasures into motherhood. The love and devotion she showed her family exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman.  She was an active member of Life Changer's Outreach Ministries, where she served as Usher, Historian, and Church Mother.

She is survived and cherished by: Daughter: Laryssa McKinney Blunt (Dane) of Hot Springs, AR; granddaughter Alyson Bohlar (Rashad Perkins); and great-grandchildren Austen Perkins and Jhett Perkins. Son: Bennie McKinney, Jr. (Jacci) of Marietta, GA; grandchildren Derrius McKinney, Jazmyn McKinney (Alvin-posthumously), Christon McKinney (Kaleigh), Issac McKinney; and great-grandchildren Aiden Daniel, Zyaire McKinney, Kaivone McKinney. Daughter:  Verla McKinney Calhoun (Anthony) of College Park, GA; grandchildren, Errin Calhoun (Nia), Eris Calhoun, Rylee Calhoun, Damien Bryant; and great-grandchildren Errin Calhoun II, and Kayden Calhoun. Son:  James Bowling (Christi), Evansville IN. Daughter:  LaTasha McKinney (James) of North Little Rock, AR; grandchildren, Imani McKinney (Jon) (Marietta GA); Eric Temple (Marietta, GA), and Jada McKinney (North Little Rock, AR); and great-granddaughter Joycelynn Rice. Sisters:  Oddie Stewart (Kevin) and Bettye Ann Rucker of Evansville, IN; and a host of nieces, nephews, and relatives (all who affectionately called her "Lissie") and friends.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mrs. Melissa Louella Barron will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 1:00 PM, at Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, 6580 Church St, Riverdale, GA 30274. Live streaming will be available.

Entrusted to Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home of Riverdale - Atlanta, GA (770)909-8800

https://williewatkins.com

Burial will be at Crestview Memorial Park 3077 E. Grand Service Rd. Hot Springs, AR 71901. The date and time will be announced soon.

The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com

Burial will be arranged and entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.