Melanie Lee Whaley, age 61 of Athens was born April 15th, 1958, to Mayford and Mary Anne Whaley at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. She also was known as Mel, mom, ma or smellanie. She won her battle to cancer on June 20th, 2019, at 7:25 a.m. at Edgewood Manor in Wellston, Ohio surrounded by family and friends and Jesus waiting for her with open arms.
Melanie was a daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend to so many. She was our biggest supporter, our storyteller, advice giver, teacher, problem solver, partner in crime and so much more.
Melanie spent her childhood being surrounded by her family in Chagrin Falls. Her life was spent taking care of her three girls. She graduated from Hocking College in 2007 with her degree in hotel/restaurant management. She spent her time working in the food service and cleaning local businesses and houses.
Melanie enjoyed singing on her porch too some of her favorite artists Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffet, or Bobby Ray’s live performances. Walks on the bike path and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, mother, siblings and friends was her happy place. Everyday her goal was to bring a smile to everyone that encountered her.
Melanie is survived by her three daughters, Maryanne Queen (Robert), Autumn Whaley, and Bobbi Hallam; her grandchildren, Kalah Russell (Kyle), Sean West, Hayden Queen, Audrie Colmer, Lily Colmer, Phoenix Whaley, Connor Swain, Foster Dempsey, Kayden Ennis and Izaeah Ennis; great-grandchildren, Oliver Russell and Piper Russell; her mother, Mary Anne Whaley; siblings, Michael Whaley, Michele Meacham (Junior), and Melissa Whaley-Chamberlain (Sam); nephews, Geoffrey Martin (Rosanne), Emerson Bartlett, and Seeder Whaley; niece, Raven Jane Chamberlain Whaley; great niece, Hadley Martin; and long-life best friends, Jim Carrol and Bobby Ray.
Melanie was preceded in death by her father Mayford Whaley, baby brother Mayford Isaac Whaley, and long life best friend Jennifer Strater.
A celebration will be held at Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home in Jackson, Ohio on Sunday, June 23, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thank you to Edgewood Manor staff for taking such good care of our “old hippie” this past week.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to help with funeral expenses be made directly to the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home, 135 Broadway Street, Jackson, Ohio 45640.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mayhew-brownfuneralhome.com