Melissa Cole Adams' Obituary
Melissa Adams
Melissa entered into her eternal rest on June 6, 2018. She was born in Fayette, Alabama on March 8, 1973. She was the first child of Bobby Cole, Sr. and Marjorie Ballentine.
Melissa moved to Washington where she received her education. While attending Clover Park High School, Melissa participated in track and field, volleyball, African-American Club, band, Girls State, managed several sports teams as well as an active member of the student government. Even at an early age, Melissa displayed a heart of public service and activism.
Shortly after high school, Melissa attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. Melissa graduated from the University of Washington, Tacoma Branch with a Bachelor of Arts in Business. She began her post-graduate career as a Primary School Teacher at Shepherd’s Fold in University Place, and then accepted a position as a Steilacoom Public Safety Dispatcher.
Melissa received her call towards humanitarian service and began working at World Vision in 2000. She took a brief break in 2004 and worked as a New Housing Project Coordinator for the Tacoma Housing Authority. She came back to World Vision in 2006 where she served with a spirit of excellence for more than 12 years where she was loved by her peers and staff. Through a successful career with the World Vision, Melissa progressed through various high-responsibility positions, with roles such as the Operations Director, Senior Director of Operations of US Programs and National Director of US Programs.
Melissa shared her beautiful smile and the love of God with everyone she came in contact. She and Rob attended Redeemed Church. In her youth Melissa was an active member of Restoration Church of God where she was a Sunday School teacher and Church Secretary. Melissa was particularly proud of completing an intensive two-year Ministerial Program with Christ Life Center Church. She also served as a Board Member at the Northwest Leadership Foundation where she helped to discover, develop and deploy a new generation of leaders and citizens for lasting and positive change within the city of Tacoma.
Melissa met and married her husband of 24 years, Robert S. Adams. To this union was born one child, Jevon Marcel Adams.
Melissa was preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie Ballentine. She is survived by her loving husband Robert, son Jevon; one sister Myra Elice Cole, nephew, Jacobi Cole-Thomas (University Place, WA); brother Bobby Jamal Cole, nephew Bobby Cole, aka Deuce; brother Trevor Jerell Cole (Fayetteville, NC); and one sister-in-law Phyllis Benson (Tennessee).
Melissa’s extended family includes the devoted and faithful friends who were a constant source of encouragement and strength throughout her life.
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