Melissa Garris

Melissa Lynn Garris, age 42, of Copperas Cove passed away September 7, 2019. Memorial Services will be held 2 PM, Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Scott’s Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. Following the service, there will be a Celebration of Life from 4 – 8 PM at the Garris’ residence.

Melissa was born on August 28, 1977, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Kenneth and Shirley Ford Pelkey. She attended school in Norfolk, Virginia. She met her husband, Shawn, in Virginia Beach, VA and they were married June 21, 1997, in Portsmouth, VA. Together they have two wonderful children, Jonathon and Rebekah, to whom she dedicated her life to.  Melissa was a substitute teacher while the kids were in school and volunteered with them at local animal shelters, community causes and more. The family moved several times, giving her more places to explore.  Her husband’s work had them relocated to North Carolina for 4 years and finally to Central Texas in 2006. She decided she loved the area so much she wanted to call it her forever home.  Melissa loved traveling, strolling on the beach while looking for shells, hosting game nights with friends, and cooking with her husband. She volunteered in the community with organizations like Pink Warrior Angels of Texas, Relay for Life, CCHS Band Booster’s, DECA Parent Support Group, local animal shelters and many more over the years. Above all else, Melissa loved living life to its fullest.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Shawn Garris; son, Jonathon Garris; daughter, Rebekah Ives and husband, Bryce; parents, Kenneth and Shirley Pelkey; a brother, William Pelkey and his wife, Alicia, and their three children.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), Pink Warrior Angels of Texas or a local animal shelter.