Melissa Paige Kassay

Melissa Paige Kassay, 46, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away after a lifelong medical battle. Her infectious smile, her laugh that could be heard and recognized across an entire building, and her unwavering generosity will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Melissa’s love story with her husband, Jason Sparkman, began in 2007, when he quite literally swept her off her feet to carry her to her friend’s car. From that first spark grew a beautiful partnership and family. Together they were blessed with two miracle children, Lily and Eli Sparkman, who became the center of her world. Melissa’s love for her children was indescribable, and she bravely fought against all odds to bring them into the world.

After graduating high school and leaving her cheerleading days behind, she continued with school as a lifelong learner with a gift for helping others, Melissa earned a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Auburn University in 2001, and later completed nursing school at Drake State Community College in 2007. Her passion for educating and empowering people led her to found her own CPR business, HeartBeat100, LLC, in 2018. Melissa had a true knack for teaching, and she never hesitated to help someone in need—whether it was squeezing in a last-minute CPR class for a student who needed it to start a new job or quietly paying off lunchroom debt at her children’s school so that no child would go hungry.

Melissa’s passion for life was evident in everything she touched. She loved her family with all her heart, found joy in planting flowers of every kind, and had a green thumb that made her neighbors envious. Her legacy of love, kindness, and education will continue to live on through her family and the countless lives she touched.

Melissa’s love for her children was ineffable. From her struggles of getting pregnant to the risk that she knew the reward would be greater. She loved every second of being a mother to Lily and Eli. She cherished every moment of them growing up to be the great kids that they are today. She was so proud of everything that they have already accomplished in life and knew that they would continue to learn, grow and become great members of the family that everyone would be proud of.

Melissa’s love for her family ran deep. From her early morning phone and mid-evening conversations with her sister to her late night conversations with her brother, Bill. Not to forget the great conversations where all the siblings were on the phone for hours. To include the hours spent talking with close friends, her aunts, cousins, and nieces. She truly cherished every phone call and every minute spent with her family and friends. She would often get off the phone so many times and just say “That was a long call, but I love her / him”. She loved meeting up and spending time with close friends that she cherished so deeply, no matter what they were doing or which meal they were meeting up for.

Melissa’s love for her dad was indescribable. She cherished every word he said and every second that they spent together. She was the true Daddy’s girl. She knew that her dad would turn the world over for her, if he could and she would do the same for him.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jason Sparkman; her children, Lily and Eli Sparkman; her father, John Kassay Jr., and his wife, Debby; her favorite sister, Stephanie Kassay, and her husband, Nick Paruzynski; and her brothers, Mike Kassay and his wife, Jennifer, and Bill Kassay and his wife, Catherine. She was preceded in death by her mother, Gayle Kassay. Melissa also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who each held a very special place in her heart.

Although we are all mourning the loss of Melissa, we stand strong in faith knowing that she is no longer suffering with illness or pain, her sight has been restored, and she is always watching over us.

Words that Describe Melissa

*Proud Mother

*The brightest ray of sunshine

*Courageous fighter

*Determined and resilient

Memories & Milestones

Melissa was a Girl Scout turned political activist at just 11 years old, writing letters to both the Governor of Hawaii and President George H. W. Bush in support of greater childhood disease research. She was honored with the opportunity to lay a wreath at a veteran’s cemetery in Oahu for her efforts.

As a loving daughter, Melissa was always willing to put others before herself—even giving up her beloved Pound Puppy to help support her dad’s health needs. She was, and will always be, her dad’s #1 fan.

A graveside interment will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Valhalla Memory Gardens. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date for her immediate family, with a Zoom link available for all others who wish to join in, share stories, and celebrate Melissa’s beautiful life.

A Poem of Comfort

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky,

But rather openings where our loved ones shine down

To let us know they are happy.

God Saw You

By Frances and Kathleen Coelho

God saw you getting tired,

When a cure was not to be.

So He wrapped His arms around you,

And whispered, "Come to me."

You didn’t deserve what you went through,

So He gave you rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful,

He only takes the best.

And when I saw you sleeping,

So peaceful and free from pain,

I could not wish you back,

To suffer that again.