Melissa Jones

Melissa Dawn Huggins Jones of Raleigh died suddenly on Tuesday morning. She was 30 years old.
Melissa was born on May 21, 1982, in Columbus County, NC to her parents, Kenneth and Dawn. She was raised in a close-knit, loving family that shaped her character and gave her the guiding principles of her life. Those principles included a strong devotion to family and friends, a firm sense of right and wrong, an intense drive to succeed no matter what the obstacle, the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life, compassion for others, and a life-long commitment to Jesus Christ. Melissa was a very fun-loving person and a joy to be around.
Melissa graduated from East Bladen High School in 2000. That same year, she married Robert "Bud" Jones of Elizabethtown. From the union came two beautiful children, Noah (11) and Hannah (8). They were truly her greatest joy in life and as she was fond of saying, she loved them "to the moon and back". Melissa and Bud started their married life in Shelby, NC where she obtained her associates degree in Business. Then they moved to Cleveland, TN where she began a successful career with First Tennessee Bank.
Melissa was very active in the Cleveland, TN community as a member of the Cleveland Kiwanis Club, Jr. Auxiliary, Cleveland Middle School "BEST" Partner, PTO, and the Chamber of Commerce. She was also an active member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland. Melissa had moved to Raleigh on April 30th to begin a new assignment with First Tennessee - a "fresh start" for her and the children.
Melissa is survived by her two children, Robert "Noah" Jones and Hannah Olivia Jones both of the home; her former husband, Bud Jones of Cleveland, TN; her mother, Dawn Wallace and husband Steve of Wilmington; her father, William "Kenneth" Huggins and wife, Barbara of Elizabethtown; her brother, Matthew Huggins, wife Wendy and daughter, April of Elizabethtown; two step-sisters, Ashley Bunnell, husband, Trey and daughter, Brianna of Elizabethtown; Samantha Abernathy, husband David and daughter, Addyson of Charlotte; maternal grandparents, Lois and Ray Sabin of Hampshire, IL and Ann Sevey of Elizabethtown; paternal grandmother Mary John Huggins of Elizabethtown and George and Janet Tilley of Fayetteville.
Melissa had a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins whom she loved so much and with which she loved to spend time. She had an especially close bond with her cousins, Jennifer Potter, Amber Hardee, and Bridget Register. Melissa was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Don Sevey and Herman Huggins and two dear friends, Mary Scoggins and Candice Lewis.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 18, 2013, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Elizabethtown Baptist Church in the Christian Activity Center Building. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at 2:00 pm at Elizabethtown Baptist Church. A private burial will be at Bladen Memorial Gardens.
Melissa had many close friends and co-workers in Cleveland, TN and there will be a memorial service for her on June 2 from 2 - 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1275 Stuart Road.
The family would like to thank all those who loved our Melissa for their outpouring of prayers and support. We would also like to thank the Raleigh Police Department for all their assistance.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Church of Cleveland for their family camp. PO Box 2368, Cleveland, Tenn., 37320.