Melissa R. Pulliam

Melissa Reneé Pulliam, 47, went home to be with God on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

She was born on August 28, 1976, in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Robert Murriel Nichols and Carol Ann Hayes-Nichols.

Melissa, often referred to as Missy or Mama, had a fulfilling career in healthcare as a CNA. She dedicated her life to caring for those in need, bringing comfort and support to countless clients over the years.

She was also a former certified sous chef and ran several NA/MA meetings through the years to bring acceptance and an open conversation around addiction and mental health, both of which she had an infinite understanding.

She not only loved her two children and raised them to the best of her constantly growing abilities with every bit of her heart and soul, she was also known as Mama to many of their friends whom she served as a mother figure to and claimed as hers.

Her house was known as a refuge from the world to many kids over the years and a place where only she could teach them all how to be comfortable in vulnerability. She had a tendency to tell the story to anyone who would listen, about how blessed she was to have found her soulmate and have an epic love that set her soul on fire. They had a lifetime’s worth of love in the almost nineteen years they were together.

She had always had an unwavering passion for music and loved to sing with the most beautiful voice, no matter when or where or how loud. She also loved spending time with her “bonus” granddaughter, Mylah Marie, who affectionately knew her as MiMi. She was known by the people she loved to be the ideal safe space. She always gave the best advice and the tightest hugs around your neck. She was known by those who were fortunate enough to as the truest living definition of genuine unconditional love and understanding.

She is survived by her husband, Jason Pease; her sons, Colson and Chandler Pulliam; her sisters, Dawn McDaniel, Lora Harris, Jennifer Nichols, Patricia Nichols and Anna Ables-Masters; along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, her many “adopted” children; and her grandfather-in-law, Eugene Humphreys.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her grandmother, Billie Hayes; her stepmother, Marie Ables; her grandmother-in-law, Betty Humphreys; and her mother-in-law, Lisa Flick.

 A homecoming celebration of life will take place from 5:00 PM until after dark on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Grottoes Park. All who knew Melissa are welcome to come and share any stories, advice, and the impact Melissa had on their life.