Melissa Ann Brown, 45 of Petersburg passed away in her home at 10:55 P.M. on March 28th, 2023. She was in the company of her husband Chad and twin sister Michelle at the time of her passing.
Melissa met the love of her life, her sweetie, Chad M. Brown on November 22nd 2014. They were married on December, 14th 2019
Melissa enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was most comfortable around a campfire and found great joy on the waters of the White River. She loved fishing, hunting and playing cards. You could find her and Chad most nights in an intense game of Yahtzee.
Melissa was a light in the dark and could bring tears of laughter during any situation.
Melissa was born in Evansville, IN July 18th, 1977, to Mark Allen Russell and Cheryl West Russell of Winslow. She graduated from Pike Central High School in 1995, where she played basketball, softball, and swam. She attended Oakland City University and obtained an elementary education degree in 2000. Melissa dedicated her adult life to serving her community. She began her career path as a special education program assistant at Petersburg Elementary. In 2003, she started a 10-year career with the Gibson County Department of Child Services where she helped to protect, support and unite countless families. Melissa has been employed by Memorial Hospital Jasper for the last 8 years. She spent 3 years working as a behavioral health technician at Memorial Hospital and the last 5 years working as a medical receptionist at the Petersburg Family Medicine Facility. She really enjoyed her office receptionist position because it allowed her to foster relationships in her hometown. Melissa treated everyone with kindness and respect, but her friends and family were lucky to have her in their corner for she could be fierce in the defense of those she loved. She dedicated herself to providing comfort and care to patients of all ages. Melissa has long been known for her sense of humor and ability to make everyone around her laugh. Her silly fun-loving nature is only overshadowed by her compassionate and caring heart. She could turn a crying child into one filled with giggles and laughter with just one funny face or a fistful of lollipops. Her death leaves an emptiness that will eventually heal but be forever felt.
Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Mark Allen Russell; Jeff White (Brother-in-law); Doug Craig (Stepfather); grandparents; Robert J. Russell (Paternal Grandfather), Colleen Robling Russell (Paternal Grandmother), Carmen Wuchner (Maternal Grandmother).
Melissa is survived by a large family, mourning her loss, including her husband, Chad Brown of Petersburg; mother, Cheryl (Vince) Shoobridge of Petersburg; grandparents, Patricia Russell of Oakland City, Bennie West of Oakland City formerly of Winslow and Margie West of Winslow; brothers Jason (Rachel) Russell of Wellington, FL. and Mark Christopher (Angel) Russell of Petersburg; her twin sister, Michelle White of Petersburg; step-siblings, Craig (Kelli) Shoobridge of Evansville, Brandon Shoobridge of IL, Darla (Doug) Pride of Petersburg; step children, C.M. Brown of Petersburg, Willie Brown of Petersburg, Cheyanne (Clay) Sallee of Petersburg; sisters-in-law, Cher (Eric) Smith of Bugtussle, KY and Cassie (Denny) Quinn of Evansville; uncles, Gary (Julie) West of Winslow, and Robert A. (Mary) Russell of Winslow; and aunt Marsha Murray of Oakland City; nieces and nephews, Cydney, Sierra, Ema, Tyler, Kholton, Llogan, Peyton, Hunter, River, Addison, Nevaeh, Ira, Opal, Olivia, and Elowyn; cousins, great nieces, great nephews and friends that she loved as family.
Visitation will be on Sunday, April 2nd, from 4P.M. to 8P.M. at Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg. Funeral services for Melissa will be held on Monday, April 3rd, at 11A.M. at the funeral home. Pastor Tuffy Blackwell will be officiating the services. There will be a visitation on Monday from 9A.M. until time of the service. Burial will immediately follow at Walnut Hills Cemetery in Petersburg. Memorial contributions can be made to P.A.W.S at P.O. Box 63, Petersburg, Indiana 47567. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.
