Melissa Sledd

1954 - 2025

Age 70, of Austin, Texas, passed away on December 18, 2025.
Though she valued her privacy, she was widely known in her community as the owner of Sledd Nursery, which she successfully operated in Clarksville for nearly 50 years. The business was her husband's dream, and she supported him in building it. Widowed when her children were very young, she continued to grow and sustain the family business. She never remarried. Her children remained involved until her passing.
Extremely smart, fiercely independent, endlessly creative, hardworking, and always herself, she met life on her own terms. When asked questions she preferred not to answer, she often replied, "You'll have to wait for the screenplay."
She loved her family, her dogs and horses, her collection of "treasures" of dubious value, and the many customers and employees who became dear friends over the years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Hinton Sledd Jr. She is survived by her sisters Leslie Daniel and Lauren Vicars; her son Glenn Sledd; her daughter Mary Sledd and son-in-law Scott Owens; and her three granddaughters.
A small private burial will be held January 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow that afternoon at Sledd Nursery. Guests are invited to gather at 1:00 p.m. for music and remembrance, with family remarks at 2:00 p.m. The celebration will last approximately 3 hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Settlement Home for Children in Austin.