Melodie Weeks Stembridge

She was born in Meridian, MS March 28th, 1949 to “Poochie” and Majorie Pigott, and in her teens took the last name of her Step-Father, Ralph Weeks. She attended Catholic boarding school in Bay St Louis, MS for several years, returning to graduate from Meridan High School in 1967.

Melodie graduated in 1974 with Associate Degree in Nursing from Meridian Junior College becoming the first college graduate in her family. Thus beginning two passions (travel being the third) that would be the fabric that weaved through the rest of her life and career – education and nursing. Melodie earned a BSN from Willam Cary University (Hattiesburg, MS) a MSN and Nurse Practitioner Degree from Mississippi University For Women (Columbus, MS) and Phd (ABD) from the University of Hawaii (Hilo, HI). She was a Professor of Nursing at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Columbus (GA) State University and The University of Hawaii where she was also a Faculty Advisor, mentoring nursing students. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, a highly prestigious international honor society of nursing students with advanced degrees, requiring superior academic achievement and leadership.

She moved to Yokosuka, Japan in 1978 and during the 3+ years there, traveled extensively throughout the region – China, Indonesia, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Tiawan, The Philippines as well as all over Japan. In the process of traveling she developed a lifelong love of Asian culture, arts and food. Also during this time she taught Cultural English Speaking classes for Japan Self Defense Force, as well as Fuji-Electric for their executives who going to be working in the US. To her amusement many of her students were as interested in talking to her young son about American Football as they were anything else, to the point she had him “teach” a class to every group she had. She also wrote a column in the base newspaper called “Life in The Fishbowl” about the humorous experiences of family life on a Navy base in Japan, as well as few art columns for The Stars and Stripes.

Her nursing career spanned over 45 years, beginning in the ER and eventually working in Neurosurgery, gerontology, medical-surgical, chemotherapy, administration and psychiatry. She was a Licensed Nurse Practitioner in multiple states, but her love was working with Veterans. She worked part-time with the Veterans Administration during her 15 years in Hawaii, and after returning to the mainland and the surge in demand post 9/11. She went to work for the VA full-time in Atlanta working with the Emory residents as psychiatric liaison, then spend her last decade in the same role at the VA in Fayetteville, AR.

Although her life ended only 150 miles from where it began, she took an incredible journey along the way. She travelled extensively, absorbing culture, arts, college degrees and becoming enamored with really weird foods along the way. She was both a compassionate academic, and a gregarious adventurer, who lived on her terms, smashing through whatever barriers she encountered. She touched untold thousands of lives - veterans, aspiring nurses, colleagues and friends scattered all over the country and the world - with her compassion, wit, story-telling and thirst for knowledge and adventure. “The little freckled red-headed girl from Meridian, Mississippi” left an indelible mark in her wake that stretched far and wide. Oh, and flowers, she loved her flowers – especially orchids (thanks Hawaii!)

Melodie was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson, James “Trey” Stembridge III, and sister-in-law Gale Pigott. She is survived by her son, James “Jay” Stembridge Jr (Jackie) her grand-daughters, Megan Stembridge and Katie Stembridge all in Montgomery, AL; her sisters Phyllis Weeks Barlow (Richard) of Meridian, MS; Betty Ann Leister of Phoenix, AZ; brothers Ricky (Tina) Leister of Meridian, MS, Rev Walter Pigott of Orangeburg, SC; Rev Stephen (Sarah) of Fairfax, VA as well as many nieces and nephews.

Melodie wished to be scatted at the beaches of her youth, and the family will have a small private ceremony. Donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, serving Veterans, First Responders and their families.