Melissa Routh

Melissa Renee Routh, 45, of Briarcliff Drive of Lexington NC, died Wednesday, November 5 at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday, November 15 at First Baptist Church, by the Rev. Dr. Ray Howell III. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.

The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Melissa was born June 21, 1980 in Lexington to Hal Worth Routh and Donna Matthews Routh. She was a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, where she double majored in Psychology and Sociology while working part-time with children and adults with disabilities (autism). In 2005, she completed her Masters of Social Work (MSSW) at UT-Knoxville and became licensed as an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in 2008. This journey included many work opportunities, which included experiences at Parthenon Pavilion Psychiatric Hospital and Rolling Hill Psychiatric Hospital; a specialization in trauma at the Sexual Assault Center and Nurture the Next (Prevent Child Abuse of TN); expertise in death, grief, and loss while employed at Alive Hospice; and experience at MAT clinics, IOP, and PHP programs with substance use and addiction. Over the last few years she started her own private practice and became certified in TN, NC, KY and MO where she fostered last relationships with many clients.

Over the years she enjoyed hiking, camping and being outdoors with her friends here in NC and TN. She was blessed with many friends that kept her living life to the fullest.

She is survived by her parents, Hal and Donna Routh of Lexington; her brother, Scott Loring Routh of Lexington; her niece Hailey Routh Chapmon (Aaron Bryson Chapmon) of Lexington; Aunt and Uncle Pat and Bill Stephens of Georgia; cousins Eric and Cammie Stephens and daughters Catherine and Mary of Georgia; cousins Brian and Wilhelmina Stephens and sons Michael and Isaiah of Burlington; and her besties, Julie, Shannon, Alyson, Lauren, Brad and Jason.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Baptist Cancer Center, Hospice of Davidson County and the many doctors and nurses that were along her side during this journey, especially Dr. Rush and Dr. Rash. They would also like thank all the friends and extended family here in Lexington for all their love and support in so many ways.

Flowers can be given to the family or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 436, Lexington NC 27293 or Hinkle Hospice House, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington NC 27292 or Cancer Services of Davidson County, 25 W 6th Avenue, Lexington NC 27292.