Melissa Mae Gregory

Melissa Mae Gregory, 56, of Lexington, NC entered the gates of Heaven on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Magnolia Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center.

A funeral will be held at 10:00 AM, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the Davidson Funeral Home Chapel on Main Street Lexington, NC with Camden Clark officiating. Burial will follow the service at Forest Hill Memorial Park, Lexington NC, with the family receiving friends in the cemetery until 11:30 AM.

Melissa was born June 3, 1969 in Lexington NC to Roger Dale Gregory and Judy Mae Ball Gregory. After graduating on June 3, 1987 from East Davidson High School, she continued her education at Davidson County Community College, earning an AAS Degree in Accounting in 1989. She also earned a BS Degree and a Master's Degree in Accounting. While employed at Lexington State Bank (NewBridge Bank which became FNB), she earned three banking certificates (General Banking, Securities Skills, and Banking Operations) through the American Institute of Banking. She also took a few courses at DCCC, one to become a Notary Public, which she held for 34 + years. Melissa was able to earn a couple of certificates through the National Genealogical Society as well.

Her first full time position was with Safety Supply America - Holland Division. When her position was eliminated, she began her banking career at Lexington State Bank in the Trust Department. After 19 years, her position was eliminated and she began her career in health care by starting at Wake Forest Baptist - Lexington Medical Center in the accounting department. Once Wake combined departments, Melissa transitioned to Winston Salem and after a few months begin in the Asset Management area in the Controller's office where she conducted inventories and monitored capital projects. Again after about 13 years her position was eliminated at which time she was fortunate to secure a position in Accounts Payable with John Hopkins Health System and University.

Melissa also volunteered in the community. She was born into the fire department and spent a lot of time growing up at the fire station with her parents and sister, since her father was fire chief 17 years and mom was a ladies auxiliary member. She officially became a member of the North Lexington Triangle FD Ladies Auxiliary in 1992 and served as secretary for most of those years. Melissa also served on the Board of Directors for well over 20 years as secretary. Part of the time also doing some treasurer duties. When the Davidson County Public Safety Honor/Color Guard was opened up for Ladies Auxiliary members in 1998, Melissa joined and remained a member until they disassembled in 2024. She always thought that honoring our local fallen was top priority and most important but she also thought the trip the honor guard took to Arlington National Cemetery in 1999 was the all-time best. In her words, "August 1, 1999 at 10am with 104 degree heat on white marble in full dress uniform my fellow honor guard members including dad laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. Dad along with a couple members, actually placed the wreath. They stood where Presidents and other famous people stood. I was as close as you could get to those spots. It was absolutely unbearable heat but / would never take for granted the honor of doing that."

Melissa was also a life member of the Genealogical Society of Davidson County. She held the positions Treasurer, 2nd Vice President, 1s Vice President, President and Past President over the years. She loved history and researching family. At one time also being a member of the Wilkes County Genealogical Society and the North Carolina Genealogical Society. She enjoyed "messing" in flowers, the outdoors when it was not scorching hot, a lot of different kinds of crafts and reading. She also loved the UNC Tarheels. Her love for flowers and yard work was inherited from her mom and maternal grandmother. Her mom was a Tarheels fan as well.

With everything she loved, she loved her nephews more than anything. She was so proud of them. She also loved her dogs, Rusty and Dusty (no, they were not brothers and did not know each other).

She is survived by her sister, Melody Clark of Thomasville; nephews, Camden Clark and Mckinley "Mac" Clark, of Thomasville; as well as numerous cousins, family, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Davidson County Humane Society (490 Glendale Rd. Lexington, NC 27292), Genealogical Society of Davidson County (PO Box 1665, Lexington, NC 27293), or Tunnels to Towers Foundation Click Here.