Melanie Ann Harris, 50, of Valdosta, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at her residence.
Born in Blackshear July 22, 1972, she had lived in Pierce County prior to moving to Valdosta two years ago. She was a 1990 graduate of Pierce County High School. She attended Waycross College and Valdosta State University, graduating in 1996 with her master’s degree in speech and language pathology and biology. Over the years she had worked at numerous nursing facilities including Waycross Health and Rehabilitation, Sears Manor in Brunswick and Bayview Nursing Home in Nahunta. She had also worked for the Brantley County Board of Education as well as working in home health as an independent contractor. She was last employed with Cobblestone Health and Rehabilitation in Moultrie. She loved music and playing the guitar, fishing and just being outdoors. She was a member of the Blackshear First United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her father, Donald Hugh “Donnie” Harris.
Survivors include her mother, Judith Ann “Judy” James Harris, Blackshear; her fiancé, Ian Folsom, Valdosta; two sisters, Andrea Harris Boatright, Bristol and Sally Leighann Harris (Dagan McDonald), Blackshear; her brother, Cole Harris of Blackshear; a niece, Maggie Ann Boatright; two nephews, Will Ritch and Harris (Jamie) Ritch; a new little nephew due in July, Joseph Tyler “J.T.” McDonald; two great-nephews, Bennett Ritch and Brysen Ritch and several other relatives and friends.
The family will have a private service this summer honoring her life.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of arrangements.
