Obituary of Melissa Childress Lows

Melissa Childress Lows, 81, passed away in Mesa, Arizona on August 28, 2023. 

Melissa was born on August 15, 1942, in Herrin, Illinois, to Perrine Lee and Lottie Elaine Childress. She graduated from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, with a degree in Elementary Education before becoming an elementary school teacher. After moving to Mesa, Arizona, in 1974, Melissa worked for the next thirty-three years in the Mesa newspaper industry retiring as Human Resources Benefits Manager for The East Valley Tribune. 

Melissa’s faith in Jesus was evident in her life. She served in many capacities including pianist, Sunday School teacher, choir member, Growth Track team member, WMU leader, Mission Friends teacher, and children’s ESL teacher with LATN (Life Among the Nations), and board member of ABCS (Arizona Baptist Children’s Services).

Melissa is survived by her daughters, Susan Kenney and Jan (Robert) Clay, her grandchildren, Sarah and Samuel Kenney, her grand-dog, Rocko Clay, her niece Carol (Tom) Schneider, her nephews, Roy (Sheri) Morris, and Kurt (Jennifer) Morris, and four great-nieces and two great-nephews, four great-great nephews, and three great-great nieces. 

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, her sister, Suzanne Morris Lows, and her niece, Joni Morris.

A service to honor her life will be held on September 4, 2023 at College View Baptist Church in Mesa, at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Life Among the Nations www.lifeamongthenations.com, or your preferred charity, in Melissa’s honor.