Melanie Heath Bryant Posey

Melanie Heath Bryant Posey of Paragould departed this life unexpectedly Saturday morning at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould at the age of 43 years, three months, and nine days. Melanie was born May 21, 1971 in Paragould to Lynda Heath Bryant and the late Jimmy Ray Bryant. A lifelong resident of Paragould, Melanie was a third generation funeral director, embalmer and assistant manager of the family business, Heath Funeral Home, founded by her grandparents, the late Verlyn L. and Helen Heath in 1945. In addition, she served as the organizer and founder of the funeral home's Tree of Memory Service, a memorial tribute service during the Christmas season to honor those they served. Melanie was a 1989 graduate of the former Ridgecrest (Paragould) High School and Arkansas State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in human resources. During college, Melanie was an active member of the Phi Mu Fraternity. Melanie was a member of the Red Wolf Foundation and enjoyed howling her beloved Red Wolves on to victory. She was an active member, past board member and 1924 Sustaining Life Member of the Arkansas State University Alumni Association. She attended John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, where she graduated second in her class. Melanie was a past president of both the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and the Northeast Arkansas Funeral Directors Club. In addition, she served on several National Funeral Directors Association committees. Melanie had a servant's heart and it was exhibited every day of her life through service to her community. As a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Melanie served as president of the Parish Council and was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. She was a member of the Rotary Club of Paragould and served as the club president from 2008-2009. The 2002 Rotarian of the Year, Melanie was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honor bestowed upon a Rotarian. She was the Rotary District 6150 Chairperson of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) for many years. She was active in the Junior Auxiliary of Paragould and the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce, where she was a graduate of the first-ever Leadership Paragould Class. Melanie was a former chairperson of the Paragould Relay for Life. Melanie married the love of her life, Stephen "Bear" Posey on April 28, 2007, and they enjoyed over seven years of marriage together. They expanded their family with the blessing of their children, Kat and J.T. in December 2010. She was preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Ray Bryant in 2002; her maternal grandparents, Verlyn L. and Helen Heath; and paternal grandparents, Lester (Peck) and Bernice Bryant. She is survived by her loving husband, Stephen "Bear" Posey, and their precious children, Kathryn Rhea and John Thomas Posey, all of the home. Her mother and "Big Daddy," Lynda Heath Bryant White and Kaut White of Paragould; sister and brother-in-law, Tanya and Scott Ellington of Jonesboro; sister, Kim Bryant of Paragould; her bonus sisters, Gina (Tim) Jarrett of Paragould, and Sharon (Tony) Dibble of Mountain Home; bonus brothers William Kaut (Cari) White of Jonesboro and David (Chris) White of Mountain Home. She also leaves behind a lifetime of dear friends and relatives, all of whom were very special to her. Funeral mass will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Paragould with Father Mike Sinkler officiating and Deacon Ricardo Puello assisting. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in Heath Funeral Home's Colonial Chapel, with rosary at 5:30 led by Deacon John Drake. Lasting memorials may be made to the Melanie Heath Posey Children's Education Fund, in care of Centennial Bank, P.O. Box 490, Paragould, Ark. 72450; the St. Mary's School Scholarship Fund, 220 N. 2nd Street, Paragould, Ark. 72450; or to a charity of the donor's choice.