Melissa S. Henson

Melissa S. Henson, 52, went home to be with the Lord on August 24, 2023. She was born to the late Thomas and Norma (Langham) Henson in Akron Ohio.

Melissa grew up being challenged but not deterred by her disability.  As a child, she scooted around the house on her dolphin creeper and later taught all her nieces and nephews how to ride and race wheelchairs.  Though not a world traveler she navigated the city better than most with the SCAT system.

In her youth she was a Poster Girl for The United Way campaign and participated in the Miss Ohio Wheelchair Pageant.  And she even sat on Tony Bennet’s lap while he sang to her!

Melissa graduated from North High School and then was a lifelong learner attending the University of Akron on different occasions just to stay sharp.

She retired from Weaver School and Workshop after 10 years of service as a receptionist.  Though retiring, she never stopped serving!  She volunteered at Akron General Hospital, The Chapel, and Animal Rescue locations around Akron.  And she sponsored several children through Unicef over the years.

Melissa loved animals…especially her brothers!  HaHa!!!  Despite all of their “traumatizing” antics involving GI Joes and Barbie Dolls she loved them dearly and they her!

She really did love animals, especially her “babies”, Star, Miracle, and Honey.

As much as she loved her family and her animals she loved the Lord even more.  She attended The Chapel where she was baptized and enjoyed the services, worship music, and Bible Study.

Melissa was a force to be reckoned with, with her fiery personality and fierce sense of independence.  She overcame situations most would crumble in.   She will be deeply, deeply missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was preceded in death by her aunts, Carol Kyle and Julie Smith and uncles Don Smith and John Shuhart. Melissa is survived by her three brothers, Thomas III (Petra), Rod (Deb), and Russ; 7 nieces/nephews, Thomas IV, Stephanie, Toby, Jake (Taylor), Clay (Ashley), Rylee and Ashley; and 8 great-nieces/nephews, Kaia, Evelyn, Ellery and Renner, William, Kaylyn, Carter, and Carson; aunts/uncles, Georgie Shuhart, Kathy (Ed) Peterson and Joe (Barbara Jean) Langham, John Henson; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, August 29 at the Eckard Baldwin Funeral Home and Chapel, 760 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 and continuing with her burial at Northlawn Memorial Gardens.

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