Melissa Ann Sturgill Dixon, age fifty-six, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, while at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, surrounded by those who loved her most.

Melissa was born on February 4, 1967, in Chicago, IL, to Rodney and Mary Elizabeth (Kilbourne) Sturgill.  Her father's family was from Southeast Kentucky and her family moved back to Letcher County, to the small community of Eolia, sometime before Melissa's 10th birthday. She graduated from Whitesburg High School in 1985.  Melissa met Billy Dixon when she was still in high school. They both worked at the IGA grocery store - she in the deli and he in the meat department. Melissa was outgoing, talkative and never met a stranger. Billy was shy, kept to himself, and didn't speak much but their love was proof that opposites attract and true love lasts. Melissa and Billy were married in August of 1985, a few months after she graduated from high school. God blessed their marriage for 38 years. Their union produced two precious children: Ashleigh and Jordan.

Melissa was a stay-at-home mother while her children were little but once they got into school, she took a position at Cumberland Elementary School as a Teacher's Aide for K-4. She loved on many little ones during her 15+ years as an Aide and most of those children will still fondly remember Miss Melissa's sweet smile and warm hugs. Melissa decided she wanted to do more so she obtained her CDL license and began driving a county school bus. She enjoyed driving 'her kids' everywhere for all sorts of school events but it wasn't beyond her to pull the school bus over to regain control of unruly students who had gotten a bit loud.

Melissa was a hands-on, country girl. She was a home-body who enjoyed working outside, mowing the grass, weed-eating, working in her garden, and canning the garden produce. She was an animal lover and raised guinea fowl, chickens, goats, cows, and ponies. She was friendly, always smiling, laughed easily, and was always very talkative. Melissa was very organized. So organized, in fact, that she would go into the Dollar Tree, her favorite store, and begin to organize the items on their shelves…no doubt talking to everyone who walked by!  And while she loved all of those things, the thing she loved most of all was spending as much time with her precious grandbabies as she could. Her family meant everything to her. Melissa believed in the Pentecostal faith and attended Lewis Creek Pentecostal Church as well as Little Dove Pentecostal Church when she was able.

Melissa is preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Viola Dixon, as well as three grandbabies, who were lost during miscarriages.

Left to cherish her memory is her best friend and devoted husband of 38 years, Billy Dixon, of Hiram, KY; her daughter, Ashleigh Deal and husband, Josh, of Cynthiana, KY; her son, Jordan Dixon and wife, Chelsea, of Cumberland, KY; her parents, Rod and Liz Sturgill, of Eolia, KY; three grandchildren: Raeleigh Deal, Beckett Dixon, and Hallie Dixon, who will make her appearance in September 2023; a brother, Wayne Sturgill and wife, Connie, of Whitesburg, KY; nieces and nephews: Jennifer, Jared, Spencer, Billy Joe, JD, Destiny and Carla; a host of extended relatives and many dear friends.

Visitation for Melissa will be held Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Tri City Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be Monday, June 12, at 1:00 at the funeral home with Reverend Ron Oplinger and Brother Glenn Cornett officiating. Melissa will be laid to rest at Peaceful Acres Cemetery in Hiram, KY. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Tri City Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Melissa Dixon.