Melanie Elizabeth Gilmore
June 3, 1960 – August 12, 2024
 
Melanie was predeceased by her grandfather Martin Coleman Turnbull and her grandmother, Emma Frances Lee Ferguson. She was also predeceased by her brother Nathaniel Coleman Turnbull. She is survived by her mother, Emily Turnbull, and her sister, Marielle Coleman Mai (Huu T.). She is also survived by her niece, Grant Berkobin (Mark) and four little Berkobins.

Melanie was strong and athletic as a young person, participating in sports of many kinds, including swimming, at which she excelled. In 1972, under the Nixon administration, she won the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, the only student in her school to do so.

She spent much of her free time as an avid swimmer and in other challenging sports until several serious injuries prevented her from doing so. Melanie worked for Jason’s Deli in Texas for over 20 years until disabled in a work related injury, and was hugely successful as a driver/caterer due to her singular combination of expertise and unique personal charm.

Limited in her physical abilities, Melanie reached out to the Cedartown Library for entertainment in the way of reading materials and they bent over backwards to assist, compiling lists of suitable books in her preferred genre of modern romance or adventure.

They helped her get books out to her car when she was having a difficult day. They recognized her unique scratchy voice without being announced. Melanie became one of the most prolific readers in Cedartown. Truthfully, she loved the librarians and they loved her. She was reading One Door Away From Heaven by Dean Koontz when she passed.

Melanie had a wonderful doctor, Dr. Kathleen Cheatham Terry, who, through skill and close attention to Melanie’s unique medical situation, kept her on this Earth far longer than might have been the case. The family owes Dr. Terry an eternal debt of gratitude.

People loved you, Melanie Elizabeth Gilmore. You will be missed.

To express your condolences to the family, please visit our website at www.liteseyfh.com.

The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ms. Melanie Gilmore.