Melanie Irby Grier was born on December 29, 1953, to Muriel R. "Mickey" Irby and William O. Irby, Jr., in Macon, Georgia. She grew up in Macon but spent many of her first summers with her maternal grandparents in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Melanie graduated in 1972 from Central High School in Macon, Georgia. She received her B.S. Ed. degree from Valdosta State College and her M. Ed. degree from Columbus State College. She first taught in Warm Springs, Georgia, before transferring to the Houston County System where she was a devoted teacher for 30 years at various schools in Warner Robins, Georgia.
In December of 1985, she married her longtime sweetheart Jim Grier. Jim liked to say that they had known each other since the "sandbox". Over the years, Melanie sang in church choirs, ladies ensembles, and choral groups. After retirement, Melanie worked with Wesley Glen Ministries and was a member of the auxiliary.
She had her dad's sense of humor and a great laugh. Her cheerful personality and warm smile could lift anyone’s spirits. She often sent thoughtful, handwritten notes to family and friends and was quick to offer a helping hand or kind words. She will be sorely missed by many.
Although they never had any children, they usually had a dog to round out the family. Macey is going to miss her "mama."
Melanie is preceded in death by her parents Muriel R. "Mickey" Irby and William O. Irby, Jr.; her adoptive mother, Mary P. Irby of Macon, Georgia; her grandparents Murlind and Marie Rosengrant of West Palm Beach, Florida; and Mr. & Mrs. W. O. Irby Sr. of Macon, Georgia; and her mother-in-law Emily Grier of Macon, Georgia. She is survived by her husband of 35 years Jim Grier of Macon, Georgia; uncles Murlind Rosengrant of Lake City, Florida, and George Pence of Memphis, Tennessee; cousin Dianne Bowman of Macon, Georgia; and many other cousins, a sister- and brother-in-law, two nieces, a nephew, as well as two great-nieces and two great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to North Macon Presbyterian Church, 5707 Rivoli Dr., Macon, GA 31210, and Wesley Glen Ministries Inc., 4580 N. Mumford Rd, Macon, GA 31210 are warmly appreciated
Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. Hunter Stevenson will officiate.
Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery has charge of arrangements.
