MELISSA ANN PERDUE MATHIS

MELISSA ANN PERDUE MATHIS, 58, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. She was born June 5, 1956 to the late E. J. Perdue of Ceredo, and Janie Perdue Thompson of Barboursville. Melissa was preceded in death by a daughter, Samantha Marie Payton; a son, Samuel Travis Payton; a grandson, Aidan Mathias White and an adopted sister, Suzanne Millne. She is survived by her husband, David Mathis and two step-daughters, Rebecca (William) White of Killeen, Texas and Cindy (Phillip) Smiley of Wahiawa, Hawaii. She is also survived by her son's fiancée, Kristina McGlone of Kenova. The greatest gifts for Melissa were her grandchildren, Kevin and Clay Payton of Kenova, Autumn, Adaiah and Elijah Smiley of Wahiawa, Hawaii and Alexander White of Killeen, Texas. She also leaves behind a brother, Jeff Perdue of Milton; a sister, Sandy Perdue of Ceredo; her in-laws, James and Dorothy Mathis of Ceredo; sisters-in-law, Pam (Rick) Lane of Huntington and Rebecca (Eddie) Cochenour of Prichard; nieces and nephews, Kristy, Melissa, and Patricia Perdue, Jerry Wellman, Jason Colegrove, J.D. Moore, Kris Benton and Ryan Ratliff; great nephews, Connor, Grady and Carson Perdue and J.J. Wellman. She also leaves behind her Godson, Austin Caldwell and his brother, Jared. Melissa graduated in 1974 from C-K High School/Gauley Bridge High School, and she was a retired Accounting Technician with the Division of Highways, State of West Virginia. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ceredo and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 93 Kenova. Melissa was on the Board of Directors for Messages for Hope that helps suicide survivors and works toward the prevention of suicide, among other things. Melissa was lucky to have a large and loving family which included her Aunt Doris Chaffins of Falls View, Aunt Helen Perdue of Kenova and special cousins, Robin Thomas of Huntington, Linda Perdue of Raleigh, NC and Margaret Hellmick of Columbia, SC who were there to support her in her illness. She remained friends with some of her best friends in school, Rhonda Robinson of Kenova, Jimmy McLaughlin, Mary Napier and Peg Viers of Houston, TX. She had many friends in West Virginia who encouraged her through her illness, Tonya Wells, Kristy Bocook, Marlene Caldwell, Mary Wilkes, Marsha Bailey, Colleen Frasher and Linda Cooney. She had a brother figure in William Fabrycki of Columbus, Ohio. She also leaves her puppy dog, Hank. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2014 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the funeral home with Rev. Rodney Hale officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.