Melanie Rena Yelverton died at home unexpectedly in her sleep on Dec. 21. She was 32 years old.

When she was 13 months old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She wasn’t supposed to live past the age of 5.

She was born on Sept. 14, 1981, in Demopolis.

She was the daughter of Lynn Barnette and Harold Yelverton. She had two sisters, Kayla (Alex) Harper and Abby Claire Yelverton, and one brother, Casey Yelverton. All of her family loved her so much and others include, Dudley (Pam) Barnette of Tuscaloosa; Darin (Suzanne) Barnette of Northport; Laymon Yelverton, Jr. of Linden; Frankie Yelverton of Monroeville; Patsy Yelverton (Brian) Maner of Alabaster; and Margaret Yelverton of Selma.

Her grandmother, Dot Barnette, shared special times with Melanie. Most of the time, whenever you saw one, the other was not far behind.

They loved riding around, going to thrift stores and enjoying each other’s company. Melanie also had a special friend Robby Brown of Greensboro. Robby made her feel pretty, special and normal. They loved watching Alabama football together. Melanie also had a special friendship with Denise Myers of Demopolis.

Kayla and Alex Harper held a very special place in Melanie’s heart because they made her laugh and feel good about herself.

Lynn, her mom and best friend, spent her life making sure Melanie was happy and her dad, Harold, lit up her world.

Melanie loved to laugh, play games, watch movies, listen to country music and she loved the Smurf’s. On Sunday’s she could be found watching NASCAR and pulling for the M&M car. She loved Krispy Kreme donuts with a big glass of milk.

She worked at Valley View preschool where she loved the children and they loved her right back. She had such a sweet, sweet spirit.

Family that preceded her in death and welcomed her into heaven were her grandparents, Laymon Yelverton and Norris Barnette.

Her funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Gardens in Demopolis with arrangements by Kirk Funeral Home in Demopolis.

Pallbearers were Laymon Yelverton Jr., Frankie Yelverton, Dudley Barnette, Darin Barnette, Noah Barnette and Clay Myers.

Honorary pallbearers were the Valley View Baptist Church Preschool Staff.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.