Melissa Lynn McCollum Lovell, age 42, of Clarkesville, Georgia, departed for her heavenly home on Thursday, September 28, 2023, after an unexpected subarachnoid bleed from an intracranial aneurysm.
Melissa was born on February 12, 1981, to Susan Shaddix McCollum and the late Earnest Jay McCollum. Melissa was a cherished member of Cool Springs Methodist Church. After graduating from Habersham County High School in 2000, Melissa attended Anderson College, where she majored in interior design, and later Truett McConnell College, where she majored in psychology.
Melissa found immense joy in spending time with friends and family, often venturing into the great outdoors to immerse herself in nature. When she was eight months along with Avalon, she hiked part of the Appalachian Trail.
Melissa was a devoted mother and homemaker, pouring her heart and soul into her beloved daughters, Avalon and Alena Lovell. She was a pillar of strength and love for her family, always putting their needs above her own.
She will be fondly remembered for her remarkable and wonderful character, exemplified by her selfless acts of kindness towards others.
She once stopped to give her take-out food to a homeless woman on the side of the road. She rescued numerous cats that had been deserted at gas stations, restaurants, and churches. She once rescued a deaf, five-week-old kitten from the middle of a road. She even rescued an injured possum, treated it, and released it into the wild after putting a pink bow in her fur.
As an organ donor, Melissa courageously gave the gift of life to recipients. She had signed up to be an organ donor six years ago, and we are all so very proud of her for paying her wonderful life forward.
Melissa was preceded in death by her beloved father, Jay McCollum; her maternal grandparents, Jesse and Teenie Shaddix; and paternal grandparents, GP and Mary McCollum.
Survivors include her beloved daughters, Avalon and Alena Lovell, of Clarkesville: mother, Susan McCollum, of Clarkesville; brother, Daniel McCollum, of Augusta: and fiance Justin Moore; aunts and uncles, Peggy and Lee Roy, David and Nancy Pickering, Linda and Scott Mitchell, and Steve and Sue Shaddix; honorary in-laws Sara and Scott Payne, of Cleveland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 15, 2023, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, with Pastor Steve McIntyre officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Sunday, October 15, 2023, at the funeral home prior to the service.
Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Habersham Animal Shelter
4231 B Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville, GA, United States, Georgia or St Jude Hospital 53 Perimeter Center E Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30346.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-7123
