Melody Jan Pirkey

Melody Jan Pirkey (Hayslip) was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, on May 26, 1974. She peacefully fell asleep and awoke in the arms of Jesus at the age of 51 on February 27, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, at Saint Luke's Hospital.
A resident of Highfill, Arkansas, Melody was preceded in death by her father, Weldon Hayslip. She is survived by her devoted husband, Gary Pirkey; her beloved son, Cameron Pirkey; her mother, Carolyn Hayslip Ruff; her sisters, Pam Chupp and Linda Notley; her cherished nieces and nephews and many extended family members. She will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
Melody attended Texarkana Community College in the nursing program. With a deep passion for helping others, she became a Licensed Vocational Nurse and worked in long-term care and family practice. Throughout their marriage, she and Gary attended various Southern Baptist churches, though Rock Creek Baptist Church always held a special place in their hearts.
Melody trusted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of nine, and her life beautifully reflected that faith. She loved sunshine and the outdoors-whether walking by a creek or strolling along the beach. From a young age, she had a natural curiosity and deep appreciation for God's creation. Young at heart, she had a wonderful sense of humor and was always full of love and compassion. These qualities made her an exceptional mother to Cameron, the son she and Gary treasure. She was an excellent swimmer who loved to snorkel and instilled that same love in Cameron early in his life. Her fierce love and devotion to Gary and Cameron were incomparable.
In the final years of her life, Melody courageously battled Danon disease, facing each challenge with unwavering faith in the Lord. In 2019, she underwent surgery to receive a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), which gave her heart the support it needed. Although it brought many struggles and life-changing limitations, it extended her life. Her positivity and contagious smile blessed everyone involved in her care. During this journey, she remained steadfast in caring for Cameron through his heart transplant journey and became an encourager to many others facing similar medical challenges. After carrying the batteries that sustained her heart for seven years, she received her heart call on February 21, 2026. After two unsuccessful heart transplants, her faith became sight. Though the outcome was not what we had hoped for, we trust that it was God's plan for her to have a heavenly heart that will never fail. Jesus loves her deeply and knew it was better for her to be with Him and reunited with her father. Praise Jesus-she is whole, healed, and home with Him.
A celebration of Melody's extraordinary life will be held on March 7 at 1:00 p.m. at Rock Creek Baptist Church, 4341 FM 2149, Maud, Texas 75567.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13
"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'" -
1 Corinthians 2:9