Melanie Shawn McDaris, 47, was born July 23, 1975, in Columbia, and was taken into her Savior’s arms on April 18, 2023, near Marshfield. Melanie enjoyed her childhood in Vanzant. She attended Mountain Grove schools in Mountain Grove. Melanie’s childhood family includes her late mother, Nina Lockhart; her brothers, Chuck Lockhart, Mike Huntsman, Paul Scott Lockhart; her late brothers, Hubie Huntsman and Dennis Lockhart; along with many surviving nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. On Sep. 7, 1996, Melanie and Scott McDaris were wed at Green Valley Church in Hartville. She is survived by her husband, Scott McDaris. He was the love of her life. She and Scott had two children together, Sydney Fox and Jevin McDaris.Melanie loved her children endlessly and was the best mother. She filled their childhood with love, laughter and memories that will last them a lifetime. Sydney Fox and Dylan Fox gave Melanie three of her greatest joys in this life, her grandchildren. Amerie Fox, Emerson Fox and Aceton Fox were her light. She and Scott enjoyed attending their sporting events, taking them hunting and fishing or to the movies, taking them to the lake to swim, playing board games, painting nails, baking chocolate chip cookies, and doing arts and crafts. In her own time, Melanie enjoyed watching the hummingbirds on her porch, tending to her flower beds, farming with her husband and studying her Bible. One of Melanie’s greatest joys was teaching her grandchildren about their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a teacher by nature. She taught Children’s Church for many years at Coon Creek Church in Hartville, where she attended since 2004. She took great pleasure in sharing the gospel with her friends and family, whether it be with words or song. Melanie was well known for her singing voice. She loved to sing at church or family gatherings and had a voice that even the angels would envy. She was a devoted Christian, and her loved ones have peace knowing that she is safe in the arms of Jesus Christ. Melanie’s song and her spirit will live on forever through her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and in the purple flowers that bloom forevermore.
Funeral Services for Melanie McDaris were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023, in the Free Will Baptist Church of Hartville with the Rev. Russell McDaris and the Rev. Gary Dedmon officiating. Special songs were “When Mama Sang,” “I Won’t Have To Worry Anymore” and “A Dying Mother’s Prayer.” Serving as pallbearers were Levi McDaris, Aaron McDaris, Kevin McDaris, Wesley McDaris, Rocky Austin, Randy Dugger, Shawn Smith and Weston Smith. Burial was in the Coon Creek Cemetery, Hartville. Arrangements were under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Hartville. Online Condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
