Melanie Kay Brooks Brinker was born to Winell and the late Luther Brooks on February 16th, 1968. She passed peacefully with loved ones at her side and the knowledge that so many more surrounded her with their love on the morning of June 21st, 2022. Melanie is survived by her husband, Timothy Allen Brinker, whom she married on January 2nd, 1993, and their son, Jasper (Kaelin) Sage Brinker, born on August 28th, 2003, sister Karen (Keith) Massengill, brother Keith (Kim) Brooks and cousins, a niece, nephews, and close friends.
Melanie has lived many places, including Palatka, FL, Antioch, TN, Savannah, GA, Elmer, LA, and her long time home and place of resting, Pensacola, FL. Her favorite of these being the southern charm of Savannah.
She loved to cook for family and friends, particularly with her husband. She put together her own spice blend, aptly dubbed Spicy Wench, which was the key ingredient to the grilled chicken her husband made but always gave him all the credit for the great taste. She loved to try different recipes and would always make dinner delicious and at least slightly different. She also loved to prove that recipes were just a suggestion.
She loved camping with family and friends. Going on bicycle rides, playing cornhole, watching her Florida Gators on Saturday, canoeing, making smores and telling jokes around the campfire.
She had a passion for reading, and always had recommendations tailored to anyone who asked. Her generosity meant she’d most likely give you the book, too.
She loved all things sparkly, and though Tim and Jasper never understood it, we smiled as she bedazzled everything she could get her hands on.
While nearly everyone says this about their mother, she was the best I could have asked for and more. She made sure I and every friend I’ve ever had felt welcome and loved the moment they entered the home. More than one of my friends have given her the title of their other mother, and she would shine with pride at the thought that she was able to make them feel so cared for.
She was passionate in all she did. Whether it be her personal loves, including the Kentucky Derby (and those awful hats), the color purple, the Florida Gators, the aforementioned glitter, and any arts-and-craftsy type thing she could get her hands on, or things her friends and family loved, she put her soul into everything she did and touched. Anyone knew and would tell you that no matter what they were doing, she would be right there, cheering them on from the sidelines and always looking for ways to help make things go smoothly.
Melanie had a special way of bringing people together. She always hoped one day her “tribe” would be closer together, so she may be with everyone without having to travel so far. Many even lovingly called her “The Queen”, and she lovingly/jokingly accepted this title with pride and honor and wore the tiara to prove it around her birthday. So, if you see any of her tribe wearing tiaras or the color purple, know it is to honor her today and every day for the great Queen she was.
Her greatest passion lay in making everyone she came across feel included and loved, or at the very least, a little bit happier than they were before they crossed paths with her. Melanie was the perfect embodiment of a caring and generous soul. Always taking care of those she loved. She did not meet a stranger- if you met her once, you were no longer a stranger. You were a friend.
She had the goofiest sense of humor, and the smile and laugh that followed was so contagious that even if you didn’t like her joke, you were sure to be laughing too. She had a way of knowing exactly what to say, and what to do, to help, no matter your circumstances. Never would she judge you- only do her best to lift your spirits.
Melanie truly was a gift. Beautiful in mind, body, and soul, the light within her will keep us all warm forever and furthermore. When anyone passes, it is customary to say things like “gone, but never forgotten”, but the truth is, nobody that knew her could forget her even if they tried. She is the coziest blanket, your favorite place to sit and think, a warm cup of the best and most comforting drink you know of- she is all of that, personified. She gave so much of her time and love to others while she was with us, and now that love will continue to blossom in the hearts of all who knew her. She can rest knowing she caused the most beautiful butterfly effect, just by being her. Rest in Paradise, Mom.
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