Melanie Crocker

Melanie was born October 21, 1971 in Portland, Ore. She was a 1989 graduate of Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, Calif. She also attended Southwestern College.

Melanie was a former Girl Scout and was also involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She excelled in volleyball, basketball and softball, and was a three-sport athlete at Mar Vista.

Melanie loved going to the beach, cooking for her family, helping her children with their homework and class projects, and spending time with her family and wide circle of friends. She loved being a mother, and was very proud of her six children and their numerous accomplishments.

Melanie is survived by her partner, Robert Whitley, of Chula Vista; children, Liz, 18, and Nick, 15, both of Imperial Beach; Brandon, 11; Jacob, 9; Justin, 8; and Cameron, 6, all of Chula Vista; mother, Mary Beck, of Weatherford, Texas; father, Gary, of Spokane, Wash.; brothers, David Vantress, of Rockingham, N.C.; Matthew Vantress and Greg Vantress, both of Portland, Ore.; uncle, Jack Vantress and aunt, Marcia Vantress, both of Cloverdale, Ore.; uncle, Steve Vantress, and aunt, Pat Vantress, both of Sisters, Ore.; and cousins Jack Vantress of Ft. Hood, Texas; Kristen Vantress Hemstead of Gresham, Ore., and Ryan Vantress of Corvallis, Ore.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Edwina Wood, Annabelle Vantress, Ed Vantress and Marge Vantress.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of San Diego County, 8515 Arjons Drive, #A, San Diego, CA, 92126-4358. Donate online at www.sdbigs.org.