MELISSA MCMURRY LANGE

LANGE, MELISSA MCMURRY - age 85 of Knoxville passed peacefully into His presence surrounded by family on Sunday April 6, 2014. Melissa was born in Knoxville and was a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church of Knoxville where she was an Elder, Circle Bible leader and sang in the Chancel choir. Melissa also loved being in Bible Study Fellowship. Her generous spirit was filled by volunteering at Fort Sanders Hospital, the Contact Crisis Hotline and serving on the board of Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries. Melissa enjoyed the fellowship of friends in Jr. League, the Grand Cotillion, the Athene Circle and the Cherokee Hills Garden Club. She loved gardening and playing the piano, but her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren, and her lifelong friends in Knoxville. Melissa was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Ruth Searle McMurry, brothers, Ben McMurry, Jr. and Searle McMurry, and nephew Lindsay Black. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Lange Matthews, of Knoxville; her husband Doug and their children Crosby, Kyle and Caroline; daughter, Allison Lange Wray, of Shreveport, LA; her husband George, and their children Christine Moody (with husband Robbie and great grandson Jackson), Matthew and William; son, Hans W. Lange, Jr., of Pittsburg, PA, his wife Diane and their children Rob and Nick; sister, Ann McMurry Simpson and husband Tom; and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services private. Friends and family will gather at Second Presbyterian Church, Thursday at 2:00 pm for a celebration of Melissa's life with Dr. Bryan Wilson officiating followed immediately by receiving of friends in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to The Knox Area Rescue Ministries 418 N Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917 or Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com