Melissa Ann Griffith Stanley

Deprecated: trim(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /home/ruebel/public_html/obits/obituaries.php on line 271
Mar 24th, 2016

Deprecated

/home/ruebel/public_html/obits/obituaries.php

279

Death Date: Mar 24, 2016

Deprecated

/home/ruebel/public_html/obits/obituaries.php

285

Deprecated

/home/ruebel/public_html/obits/obituaries.php

302

Save: Print this Obituary

Biography: Melissa Ann Griffith Stanley passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 24, 2016. She leaves behind her husband of 5 years, Dr. J. Scott Stanley, and three sons whom she cherished and adored: Charles Matthew Jackson (23), Pierce Griffith Jackson (19) and Louis Cameron Jackson (16). Melissa Ann Griffith was born October 25, 1961, in Tucson, Arizona, to Col. James C. Griffith and Rosemary Davidson Griffith. The daughter of an Army officer she lived as a child in many places around the United States including Indiana, Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Her family settled in Little Rock when she was a teenager and she graduated from her parents? alma mater, Little Rock Central High School in 1980. Upon graduation she attended Hendrix College in Conway, AR, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Religion and Psychology in 1984. Her love of working with children began in her teens as a babysitter, swim instructor and camp counselor. She worked as a Youth Director at both Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and at the First United Methodist Church in Rome, GA. She also worked with the Adult Ministries at Little Rock First United Methodist Church. More recently she worked as an administrative assistant at Kid Source, Kids SPOT, Integrity, Inc. and for the past 9 years was Secretary for the Health Services Coordinator at the Little Rock School District where she was much beloved and will be greatly missed. Previously Melissa served on the Day Care Board and Board of Stewards at Pulaski Heights UMC as well as the Wesley Fellowship at UALR and the board for Ozark Mission Project. She was an avid reader as well as a huge fan of the Arkansas Razorback Football team. She had a gentle soul and great love of life and will be dearly missed by a multitude of family, co-workers and friends. Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Col. James C. Griffith, in May 2001. In addition to her husband and sons, she is also survived by her mother, Rosemary Davidson Griffith, and sister Jamie L. Griffith, both of Little Rock; sister, Kristi Griffith Koch and, her husband John of Northborough, MA; nephew, James E. Koch of Washington DC; niece, Kristin E. Koch of Northborough, MA; father and mother in-law, Jack & Roselyn Stanley of Little Rock, AR. Visitation will be Saturday, April, 2, 2016 from 3-5 at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock. Services will be held at 11 am on Monday April 4th, 2016, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock with the Reverend Jay Clark presiding, assisted by Dr. Jeffery Hampton, Reverend Vic Nixon, Reverend Lynn Lindsey and Bishop Kenneth Hicks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Pulaski Heights PEEPS Program (Pulaski Heights UMC Evening Excursions for Parents of Children with Special Needs) 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, AR 72205 and Hendrix College 1600 Washington Ave. Conway, AR 72032.

Condolences(25)

Kathey Haynie

#25

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

To Scott, Louis, Charles, and Pierce,
My heart is so sad and I know if I can't put my mind around why God took your mom & wife, I know that all of you feel it so much more than I do.
I loved Melissa and have known her for the years she worked at LRSD. I got very close with her during Louis' time at Mann. Louis, she loved you so much and would have done anything for her boys. Melissa, spirit, strength, passion, and she just knew wha to say when things were going bad. God needed her in Heaven to take her so young. We all know that we can't understand "Why" these things happen, and I certainly know that Melissa would not want us to be sad, she is where she needs to be.

I know how much she Loved all of you. Scott, she was so very much in love with you and even when you & her were going to get married, she felt bad that you were so sick. You made her Happier than I had seen her in years, always remember how much she loved you.

Her Boy's as she would refer to you guys, she would have done anything for all of you. You were her life, and the reason she wake up every morning and did what she did, a mothers love no matter what, will always live with you forever.

God Bless you and keep your mom's love in your heart. I am praying for all of you.

Kathey Haynie

Terrie Ellington

#24

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Melissa had a smile in her voice every time I spoke with her on the phone and a smile on her face every time I saw her in person. I feel truly blessed to have crossed paths with her in life. Because God orchestrated our paths to cross, Melissa showed me how to love as I experienced God's love through her. I already miss her loving spirit. I pray that God's comfort will transcend the boundaries of heaven and fall upon the earth so that you may experience His love and peace even in your loss. God is still good!

Becky Burris

#23

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So sorry to hear about Melissa. I met Melissa when she and her family first moved to Little Rock. She was always positive,supportive, and such a good friend. She made an impression on everyone she met. Praying for peace and comfort for her family.

Kay Wilcox Smith

#22

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Melissa was one of a kind. My first job out of graduate school and she made me feel so comfortable! She was funny and kind and such an encourager. And the most important thing i remember was her talking about her sweet boys all the time. She LOVED you!! I'm so sad to learn of this news and will be praying. She will be dearly missed by many, I am sure of it! Love to you Melissa and your family. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

Gayle Marcks

#21

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Melissa will never be forgotten. Melissa loved her family so much. She had such a zest for life. Always enthusiastic. May God wrap his arms around each of you.

Gayle Marcks

Michelle Mann

#20

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for all of you. Melissa was a sweet friend through church and UMW and had a cheerful disposition that will be greatly missed!

Aquanetta Lewis Canady

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal
With my deepest condolences I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Melissa. My prayers are with you all during this time of sorrow. May God comfort your hearts and give you all strength. God bless you all.

Kristin Agar

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I was shocked to learn of Melissa's untimely death. I have known her for many years and always enjoyed seeing her. I appreciated her care and concern for others, and her sweet spirit. My condolences to her family. She will be so missed!

Dennis Yecke

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Stanley: You and your family are in my prayers. Lean on God's strength to get you through this difficult time.

Sherry & Click Eisenberg

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear Rosie, Kristi, Jaomie, and family,
Dad and I are so sorry to hear about your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Little Rock Central High School Class of 1980

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

To Melissa's family,

We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Melissa's passing. She was so well loved and respected by us, and we share your grief. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Members of the LRCH Class of 1980

Eugene, Holly, Corbin and Noah Jenkins

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Scott, Louis, Charles, Pierce and family,

We are shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of Melissa. We pray that you will find comfort in friends and loved ones as you grieve the loss of your wife/mom. We are asking the Lord to give you strength to walk through this difficult time and bring you all peace and healing. Find comfort in knowing that she is in the arms of her heavenly Father, where there is only love, peace and joy. We will be praying for you and your whole family.

Christine Duellman

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My heart aches for you over the loss of such a beautiful spirited girl. My heart aches for those that are left here to figure out how to move on. Melissa and I have shared many days floating or laying by a pool, countless miles trying to walk off the many calories of junk we've eaten. We've spent many Sunday's at 2:00 with our yoga mats side by side trying not to giggle when we couldn't make our body do what they said it should. We worked well as a team for Health Services, we shared our secrets with each other. We laughed at ourselves, we cried on each other's shoulder, and for the last 8-9 years, we were always there for each other when we called. I will miss our lunches together, our treadmills set at 3.5 mph...me always on the left, I will miss our impromptu dessert "happy hour time". I will miss hearing her say my name...I used to tease her about it. I will miss sharing books with her, clothes with her...of all the things, a black shrug that I had, and hers she couldn't quite get the stamina to finish. I will miss seeing the love she had for her family...not only did she speak it, she lived it. She was such a giver and a doer...if she said she would...she did. She loved you all beyond belief. So proud of each accomplishment. She shared her life and let me share mine with her. My prayers for us all for the fabulous memories, peace that she would wish for us all, understanding and comfort that she was a true believer of Jesus and is right where she should be, I pray peace and love for her family: Rosemary, Kristi, Jamie, Charles, Pearce, Louis, Scott, and Mardi Gras Thank you for sharing her with me. Such a bright light dimmed for me upon hearing the news of her passing. She was like the sister I never had. 🙏🏽💙😇

Shelia Thrower

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Melissa is definitely one of His saints with are heart as golden as hers. I called her name so many times today because she was our backbone helping us daily. She understood me and that was special. She always greeted me with a smile. I pray that the family find comfort in the word of God. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. Rest now Melissa. It's time to start reaping your rewards for a life well lived.

Vicki Barney

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Above all I know that Melissa loved her family with every fiber of her being. My heart aches for your loss, but I am sure her spirit will continue to love and care for you. Please know that as she loved all of you, her friends and coworkers loved her. My prayers for understanding and a measure of peace go out to all of you. I will miss her greatly.
Vicki Barney

Laura McMillin Lewis

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am very sad to hear this news. Melissa is a dear soul. I will never forget her infectious smile or the way she always greeted me when we saw one another. My thoughts are with all her family and friends.

Tom Moore

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I AM SO SORRY. Melissa was so kind to both my children when she was youth director at PHUMC. I cherish the memories my family has for Melissa.

Mary Janssen

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Scott: We are saddened to say goodbye to Melissa. We will miss our friend and coworker and seeing you two together. Peace and healing to you and her boys. Sonny and Mary Janssen

Bettye Baxter RN

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Melissa will be missed, such a jewel of a person. I have worked with Melissa over the past 2 years in the LRSD. She was so patient and kind to all the nurses! She has her wings in Heaven.

Jim Gunnell

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So many people come into and out of our lives. I remember some names and some faces...and on rare occasions I manage to remember both.

Then there are individuals like Melissa who come into your life and bring with them an energy that is undeniable and unforgettable--a genuine kindness that endures. I will miss her smile and her sometimes quirky take on life.

The only way I know to help you carry the sorrow is to tell you that Melissa meant something to the world. She made a difference. Her life mattered to so many. Melissa will not be forgotten.

We are sending you the most outrageous love we know how to give.

Carl and Lesley Creger

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Jamie, Lesley and I express our deepest sympathy to you and your mother on the unexpected passing of your sister Melissa. We know that you will miss her greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Evelyn L. Miller

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So very sorry to learn of the tragic death of Melissa. May it be a comfort to know your friends are with you in spirit and that her father, Jim, would be there to greet her in Heaven. I feel for you in your loss, Lovingly Evey

Laurie Pascale

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Rosemary, Kristi, and Jamie: I am so sorry for your loss! May God give you and your families and Melissa's family solace in this painful time.

Warmest regards and Theta Love,

Laurie Pascale

Deborah Cline

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so very sorry for your loss. I just talked to Melissa at work on Thursday, March 17th. She will be dearly missed by her family at LRSD. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying for a peace that passes understanding. Prov. 3:5-6

Sylvia Roland

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry to hear that Melissa has passed from us. I have such fond memories of her as a lovely blonde student at Hendrix. We graduated together and visited at class reunions. She was always delightful and so much fun to visit with during these times. I will keep the family in my prayers during this difficult time.

Melissa Ann Griffith Stanley

Leave your Condolence