Melissa Perkins

 A six-year-old aspiring cosmetologist, who, while waiting for her salon appointment, decided to observe the stylist at work. She carefully watched the stylist’s nimble fingers braid, apply rollers, or use a curling iron or hot comb on her clients’ hair. After her appointment she’d come home and try to practice on her own hair, undoing the stylist’s work, much to her mother’s chagrin.

Melissa Danielle Perkins was born on June 1, 1975, the youngest of two daughters born to the late Reverend Robert J. Perkins and the late Ellen M. Perkins (née Cox).

Melissa or Missy, as she was affectionately called by her family, was a burst of energy and had an infectious smile. She made friends easily and loved being the center of attention. She loved to entertain and participated in dance recitals. She also loved styling hair and practiced on her dolls. While still an elementary school student she became so proficient at hair styling that she styled her mother’s hair and her sister Jennifer’s hair. She also occupied her time pretending to be a store cashier and a teacher teaching her class of stuffed animals and dolls. She also pretended to be a restaurant owner with her father who played a persnickety customer. Melissa loved tending to her pets and plants. She was particularly fond of the wheat plant and on family road trips she would request that the car pull over so that she could admire the vastness of the wheat fields when encountered on the journeys.

When she was a senior in high school, Melissa was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. While hospitalized and recuperating from surgery to remove the tumor, she was impressed by the care she received from the nursing staff at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. She then decided to pursue a career in healthcare. After high school graduation Melissa received training to become a medical assistant from the Harrison Career Institute and worked for a medical practice. She enrolled at Brookdale Community College with the goal of becoming a nurse. However, mental health challenges caused her to change her major and she graduated with an associate’s degree in liberal arts. She later pursued work in the retail industry.

Melissa met and married Gregory Ross and from this union came a son, Jayden Robert. After their divorce, though she loved her son dearly, Gregory gained custody of Jayden. Mental health challenges plagued much of Melissa’s adult life and she faced difficulty in achieving stability. However, she never gave up her smile.

Melissa left this life on July 19th, 2026. In addition to her parents, Melissa is also preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Harold E. Perkins Sr. and Lena Perkins (née Hall), maternal grandparents James A.G. Cox and Meralda Cox (née O’Neal). Her pets: a terrier mix named Skittles, miniature pinschers Lulu, Ginger, and Diva, Cairn terrier Brandy, a parakeet named Boodageese, and several kissing fish (Helostoma temminckii) precede her as well. She is survived by her son Jayden, sister Jennifer, a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins, the Emmanuel Baptist Church family and friends.