““If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” -Christopher Robin to Pooh
Life story
Ashley Nicole Young Melton passed away suddenly from a heart condition known as Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), on Friday, March 25th, 2016 at the age of 27 in Savannah, Georgia.
Born in Asheville, North Carolina on May 26th, 1988, Ashley was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, wife, & friend. She spent most of her childhood in different parts of South Carolina & later Savannah, Georgia. Her family settled in Effingham County, Georgia, where she lived most of her life and met her husband, Christopher Melton, at the age of 13. They dated as teenagers and married November 3rd, 2012. They welcomed their first child, Liam John, on September 19th, 2013 and later their daughter, Adeline Grace, on March 18th, 2016.
Ashley was a shy, but witty, funny, compassionate woman and made a profound impact on everyone that was lucky enough to know her. Her presence brightened the lives of those around her. Above all, she was extremely passionate about her family. Her mother was her best friend and confidant, she had been inseparable from her husband since they met as children, and she shared a bond with her sister that only comes from being close siblings. But the love she had for her children was immeasurable. She took immense pride and joy in being a mother. Ashley’s humor and laughter will be profoundly missed by her family and friends.
Ashley is survived by her loving family; her husband, Christopher Melton; her children, Liam & Adeline Melton; her mother, Laura Young; her father, Roger Young; her sister, Jennifer Alford (Joseph); her niece & nephew Anniston & Everett Alford; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Barry & Loretta Melton; brother-in-law, Jonathan Melton; and many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, & friends whom she loved dearly. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, John (Bo) & Grace (Marie) Young; maternal grandfather, Jere DuBose; and maternal grandmother, Jean DuBose.
She was laid to rest April 2nd, 2016 at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Mausoleum-315 Greenwich Road, Savannah, GA 31404.
Where to begin? There are so many short stories and memories of Ashley. How she would watch Siena when we got back from China. How she would take her around the grocery store because she knew Siena loved food (Siena was only 3:)
I had a dream about Ashley a few months after she passed away. I was sitting at a picinic table at the cemetery and Ashley sat across from me. I was confused because I knew in my dream she had died. I asked what she was doing there and she just smiled. I told her she looked so happy. She just said "its beautiful there" and walked away. I woke up feeling peaceful and blessed. I didn't tell her mom until many years later about the dream.
I think of Ashley often.