Melissa Lynn Barnett, (65), of Rolla, passed away following a brief
battle with cancer on April 20, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.
Melissa was born on March 5th, 1959 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
to Harold and Betty Smith (Barnes). She spent a few years of her youth
in France, but returned to Salem, MO where she would graduate high
school.
She loved Summertime and spending it with family. These weekends
consisted of grilling, laughter, river trips, sleepovers, and ball games.
When Melissa wasn’t working, she enjoyed tending to her plants, sunshine, the Current River
(her love for the water was endless), and a cold drink with the family.
She was known as a strong, hard working, independent woman with a fierce work ethic. People
would say, “I don’t know how you do it.”, in which she would reply, “I don’t have any other
choice.”, and she continued working until a few weeks prior to her passing.
Melissa is survived by her mother Betty Smith, brother Frank Smith, brother Kelly (Lynn) Smith,
son Wyatt Blankenship, daughter Hannah Blankenship, daughter Jessica Butery (Steve),
daughter Juliana Mueller and daughter Brandi Hobson. She also had ten grandchildren: Marissa
(Shawn), Austin (Alyssa), Alexis, Haley, Ashleigh, Brock, Matthew, Ava, Larry James and
Abilene, two great grandchildren, Dallas and Marley, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Melissa is preceded in death by her father Harold Smith, sister and brother-in-law Jill and Clay
Elliott, and son-in-law Jarrod Hunter.
A private memorial gathering will be held in honor of Melissa.