Melissa Anne Allbritten

Melissa Anne (Swadley) Allbritten, age 49, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, after a long and heroic battle with cancer. Born on April 4, 1976, in Dallas, Texas, she was a beloved daughter of David and Ann Swadley.

Melissa enjoyed growing up with her dear sister Sara and had many friends, some of whom she had known all her life. She also enjoyed visiting with her many cousins. Education was a priority for Melissa throughout her life. She attended North Garland High School, then went on to earn an associate's degree in 2006. While working and taking care of her family, she graduated in 2020 Magna Cum Laude with her bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Human Resources Management at Texas Women’s University.

Melissa worked as a buyer’s assistant at Walmart's home office in Arkansas. After moving back to Garland, she worked at JCPenney’s corporate headquarters in 2002, where she met and married Jeff Allbritten. For the past 11 years, Melissa worked at Mitel as a compensation benefits analyst. She was also a Mary Kay consultant for many years.

She had gained a daughter, Drew Thompson, from her first marriage, and she and Jeff had two children, Liam and Lillian. She loved her family and made sure they had fun and adventures even when she wasn't feeling well. She supported their interests and strongly advocated for her children.

Melissa loved her cats and greatly enjoyed playing with them, watching their antics, and being with her family. She also loved music, the beach, reading, chocolate, Brendan Fraser, Dallas Cowboys football, and helping others. She was the head of the Community Outreach organization at Mitel and was very passionate about helping those in need. She was politically minded, always voting to make our government serve every person fairly.

Melissa is survived by her parents David and Ann Swadley, her husband Jeff Allbritten, children Drew (Mustafa) Arslan, Liam Allbritten, and Lillie Allbritten, sister Sara Horne (Brandon Harden), nieces Callie (Stephen) Dorfman, Julia Horne, Nora Harden, Katelynn and Sydney Stevens, nephews Maxwell Horne and Hunter Stevens, aunts and uncles Cathy (George) Williams, Peggy Kuhns, Mary (David) Collins, Laura (Fred) Kamman, mother-in-law Linda Allbritten, sister-in-law Kristin (Aaron) Stevens and precious grandchildren Avari, Wyatt, Elena, and Stafa.

While Melissa's presence will be deeply missed, her enduring spirit will continue to guide and uplift all who knew her, reminding us to live joyfully and love deeply. May her memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth her legacy of love, strength, and generosity in all that we do.

En lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Melissa’s name may be made to Metavivor.org to support research for metastatic breast cancer. If you still wish to send a floral arrangement, please have the florist deliver to Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 2343 Gage Rd., Lavon, TX 75166 no later than 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025.