Melissa Diane Cordova

She was born in Covington, GA and it was during her teen years that she met her husband, Mark, while working at Burger King. They married on July 12, 1986 at Snapping Shoals United Methodist Church in Henry County. Their lovely daughter Amanda came along in 1987 and in 1989, their spirited son Anthony was born. In their nearly 27 years together, she and Mark cultivated a loving relationship, filled with laughter, compassion, and unconditional support. Melissa was Mark’s treasure…they valued each other and worked as a team. They could always count on one another.

Melissa had a special way of making others feel right at home in her presence. She was someone that you could easily talk to; a down-to-earth woman of God that put His love into action. Her family and friends described her as: fun, awesome, dedicated, a ray of sunshine, a jokester, funny, supportive, loving, a true friend, faithful, committed, living love for the youth of The Salvation Army.

Melissa’s passions included God, family, church, and her “children” from all over Clayton County. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed word searches, and loved spending time with her family and friends. The things that made her smile were sunflowers, the color pink, peaches, her pastor’s pico de gallo, music from the ‘50’s, ‘60’s, and 70’s, and most of all, her work with The Salvation Army.

Melissa was employed by The Salvation Army of Clayton and Fayette Counties as their After School / Summer Day Camp Director and Family Emergency Services Case Manager for Fayette County, approaching 15 years of service. During this time, she went back to school and earned her degree in Early Childhood Development from Ashworth College.

Melissa was a vital member of her church, The Salvation Army's Jonesboro Citadel Corps. She held the leadership position of YPSM (Young People’s Sergeant Major), was a Sunday School Teacher, taught Jr. Soldiers (a special Bible class for young members of the church), led Character Building classes for children and teens, created and conducted wonderful Women's Ministries programs, and participated in Community Outreach on a regular basis.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Mark A. Cordova; daughter, Amanda D. Cordova; son, Anthony A. Cordova; parents, Raymond and Teresa Wilson; sister, Tracy Gauge: a half brother and sister, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, many beloved friends, a special dog named Hunter (affectionately know as Woofie), and hundreds of young people throughout the Jonesboro community because of many years of dedicated service through The Salvation Army's After School and Summer Day Camp programs.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to:

The Salvation Army of Jonesboro

Summer Day Camp Program

PO Box 757, Jonesboro, GA 30237