Melissa Gayle Ballew Williams
COLUMBIA — Melissa Gayle Ballew Williams died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. She was 47.
She was born April 27, 1962, in Mexico, Mo., to Richard T. and Dorothy Gayle (Atterberry) Ballew.
She graduated from Hickman High School in 1981, the third generation in her family to do so.
Ms. Williams loved to spend time with her sons and grandchildren by going to sporting and school events and taking trips to the park.
Ms. Williams was recognized as a participant in the legacy teacher's program earlier in 2009. The legacy teacher's program was created by the MU School of Medicine to celebrate the lessons that patients and their families share with medical students.
Before she died, Ms. Williams shared a wish: “Hug your family and tell them how much you love and value them. Today might be your last opportunity.”
Ms. Williams is survived by her son, Nicholas O’Neill; her parents; two sisters, Cara E. Baker and Melinda L. Boice; two grandchildren, Hayden Kohl and Hailee Gayle Williams; nephews, Nathan A. Baker and Jared L. Baker; and a goddaughter, Kylie Atterberry.
A son, Dennis Canyon Williams and a brother, Weston Lane Ballew died earlier.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Lighthouse Bible Church, 210 Roby Farm Road in Rocheport.
In lieu of flowers, Ms. Williams asked before she died to have a college fund established for her son, Nicholas. Contributions may be sent to Nicholas J. O’Neill Educational Fund, c/o Bank of Missouri, 3610 Buttonwood Drive, Columbia, MO 65201.
Tributes can be posted at parkerfuneralservice.com.
