Melissa Epifania Volz, 46, of Greensboro, NC, went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 6th, 2026. Melissa fought a courageous battle with cancer, and died from complications following surgery.
Melissa was born on April 19,1980 in Manhattan, NY and grew up in the area while serving her deaf parents as an interpreter. After graduating from the “famous” LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, she studied sign language and deaf culture at Sienna Heights University where she graduated at the top of her class. She went on to serve deaf and blind children at the Helen Keller National Center, and in the public school system in NYC and later in Greensboro.
Melissa came to know the Lord as her Savior as an adult, and every aspect of her life was shaped by her faith from that point forward. She loved, adored, and treasured the Lord Jesus Christ. In the past two years, Melissa demonstrated joy and an unshakeable faith as she persevered through cancer treatments and chronic pain. She was quick to remind others that “God is so good!”.
During her cancer journey, Melissa often expressed her gratitude for the generous and ongoing support and help of Christ Covenant Church, Harvest Academy, her friends, and family members. Her deepest gratitude was to her beloved husband of 21 years, Erik, who loved and served her tirelessly and selflessly. In her own words, “He remained my constant on the dark days” and “ministered the gospel of grace to my soul when I needed it most.”
Melissa’s greatest earthly joy and delight were her three precious daughters, Gracie Belle, Rosalie Joy, and Eleanor Faith. She felt immeasurably blessed to be their mother, and her deepest desire was to point them to Christ. She leaves them a legacy of faith in the goodness of God.
In addition to Erik and the girls, Melissa is survived by her parents, Elizabeth Walker and Cesar Lopez, her brother Chris Lopez, her sister Danielle Thuermer, her mother-in-law Rose Marie, her brother-in-law Peter Volz, and many other dear family members.
The family will visit with friends Friday, September 18 at 12 pm followed by a funeral service at 1 pm at Christ Covenant Church, 811 Jefferson Road. There will be a reception at the church immediately following the funeral service. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3901 Forest Lawn Drive.
