Melissa Martin

Melissa Blackard Martin, 40, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at her home in Cordova, Tennessee, after a three and a half year battle with breast cancer. She was born on March 12, 1971. She graduated from Central High School and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Bolivar, Tennessee. She moved to Memphis in 1989. She was the beloved daughter of Raymond and Rita Blackard of Bolivar, Tennessee. She is survived by her husband, Ricky of Cordova; her daughter, Jessica Smith of Cordova; a son, Hunter Smith of Cordova; step-daughter, Natalie (Jay) Roberts of Hernando, Mississippi; step-son, Jason (Bethany) of Middleburg, Florida; step-grandchildren, Eron and Emily Martin and Olivia Roberts; her sisters, Heather Turner of Bolivar and Amber Brown of Middleton, Tennessee; a brother, Ashley of Bolivar; her maternal grandparents, Henry and Helen Moore of Bolivar. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Luther and Annie Blackard of Byhalia, Mississippi.



Melissa was a great inspiration to everyone who knew her and to many who knew only of her courageous fight with breast cancer, which she chronicled in her Caring Bridge site from the beginning of her diagnosis to the end. By doing this she had one wish: that by sharing her experiences, both good and bad, it might help someone else who was facing this terrible disease or other hardships. At the time of her death her site had been viewed over 40,000 times, and many times she heard from those who were affected by her unwavering faith and continuous positivity. Her bravery and awesome attitude will never be forgotten. As one friend said, "You are in God's arms now - your battle here is done."



Visitation will be Friday, December 9 from 6 - 9 pm at Shackelford's Funeral Home, Bolivar, Tennessee. Services will be Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 am in the chapel at Shackelford's. Burial will be in the Shandy Cemetery, Bolivar. A fund has been set up for Melissa's children at First South Bank, 809 West Market Street, Bolivar, Tennessee 38008, care of Lora Moore.