Melissa Ashlee Oglesbee

melissa oglesbee

July 17, 1981 ~ December 10, 2021

Born in: Medina, OH
Resided in: Candler, NC

Light a Candle

Add a Memory to the Timeline

Sign the Guestbook

Send Flowers

Memorial Tree Plantings

Melissa Ashlee Oglesbee, 40, of Candler, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love on December 10, 2021 after a long road with brain cancer.

Melissa was born on July 17, 1981 in Medina, Ohio to parents Patricia Crites and John Oglesbee; the family relocated to Watkinsville, Georgia in 1983. As a child, Melissa could often be found drawing, playing in the woods, creating imaginary worlds with her big sister Jennifer, and becoming fast friends with every animal she met.

She was a 1999 graduate of Oconee County High School where she played varsity soccer all four years, then went on to complete her Bachelor’s Degree at Berry College in 2003. Melissa’s years at Berry were filled with nature and sing-a-longs, camaraderie and laughter. She treasured her time at Berry and made some of her most cherished friendships there.

While at Berry she also met the most important person of all – her future husband, Garrett Earhart. They married in 2009 and made Candler their home. Melissa and Garrett shared a love of music and the outdoors and a quick sense of humor. They could often be found hiking and camping, singing and playing music, taking drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway, spending time with their dogs Tuza and Bluebell, embracing all things silly, and always making each other laugh.

Melissa’s deep love for animals led her to a career as a licensed veterinary technician. She graduated at the top of her class from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in 2010. She was a respected, highly skilled, and deeply caring technician, having spent her last working years at the Animal Hospital of North Asheville.

But more than any of her accomplishments, what people treasured most about Melissa was her compassion and candor, her kindness and her sense of humor. Inquisitive and insightful, Melissa never hesitated to ask the hard questions or to tell the truth with love. Generous and creative, she left imprints on everyone around her in the form of thoughtful gifts, encouraging words, and practical advice. She could always be relied upon for a good dose of humor and just the right amount of snark, even on the hardest of days. Caring, forgiving, honest, and always real, she had a giant heart and was eager to make the world a little better than she found it. She was deeply loyal not only to those she loved but to the causes that mattered most to her.

Melissa leaves behind a legacy of love that will be carried on by her devoted husband Garrett Earhart, mother and stepfather Patricia and Clifford Crites, father John Oglesbee, sister Jennifer Oglesbee (Dan Alamia), stepbrothers Christopher Boswell (Myra) and Cory Haggard, father-in-law and mother-in-law Larry and Sandra Earhart, sister-in-law Katherine Earhart Ordoñez (Mario), and her nieces and nephew (Helen and Simon Alamia and Antonia Ordoñez). She is preceded in death by her stepmother Janet Oglesbee, stepbrother Adam Haggard, and grandparents Charles and Nellie Beers and Wendell and Edna Oglesbee.

A small private service will be held on December 15.

In lieu of flowers, please give belly rubs to a dog, enjoy a long hike, spread a little kindness, or make a donation in Melissa’s name to the Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806.

Services

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 1970-01-01 00:00:00 1970-01-01 00:00:00 MelissaAshleeOglesbeeFuneral Home Assisting The Family Funeral Home Assisting The Family 1401 Patton Ave.,Asheville, NC 28806

Show Location on Map

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

View the Timeline Add a Memory to the Timeline

Photo Gallery

melissa oglesbee Gallery

Guestbook

  3. We are so saddened by Melissa’s passing. You are all in our prayers during this sad time. With heartfelt sympathy, John and June Bellamy

    Reply

  4. We were lucky enough to know Melissa and enjoyed her and will miss her very much. She will always still be here in the neighborhood love Allen and Mary Jane

    Reply

  5. I remember Melissa from when we went to school in Oconee together as children. She was always such a kind person with a wonderful smile and an infectious laugh. I’m so sorry to hear about her passing.

    Reply

  6. I used to love babysitting Melissa when she was just a baby! Her smile is the thing I’ll remember the most. She was so lucky to find Garrett. I know he made her very happy. My heart is broken. A bright light was lost. Tomorrow I’m going to try and trap an injured cat in the area in her memory. I know she will be helping me out from above!!

    Reply

  7. My deepest condolences to Melissas family, husband, and the many many people that had the pleasure to meet her. I got to know Melissa at AB Tech and she was the most interesting, intelligent, compassionate, and funny people I’ve ever met. I’ll never forget her. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing.

    Reply

  9. To Garrett, Katherine (and family),Sandra, and Larry,
    Our hearts share in your deep sorrow at Melissa’s passing. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers as you go into the days ahead. Your devotion over these years is so very touching.

    Reply

  15. Melissa was one of the best employees that we ever had and was such a sweet, kind, and funny woman. We are so sad to hear of her passing and our hearts are with her family. Rest in peace, beautiful soul, you will live on in the hearts of so many.

    Jill and Jason Lydic

    Reply

  19. I’m so sorry for your loss. Hoping peace and comfort are found through the precious moments shared with your sweet Melissa.
    She is in my heart.
    God bless.

    Reply

  22. No words to express my thoughts. My memories of Melissa include her always with a big smile.

    I pray for comfort and peace for you all.

    Reply

  23. Jennifer, Garrett, and family. My deepest condolences for the loss of your precious Melissa. Sending love, light, and comfort. May her memory be for a blessing. ❤️

    Reply

  24. I met Melissa when we worked at the old AHS building on Lee’s Creek, she made everyday brighter while working in such a gloomy place. I am so blessed to have known her and still kept in touch all these years later. You will be deeply missed!!

    Reply

  25. I was a a teacher at the Berry College Child Development Center from 1999-2003. Melissa was one of the student workers in my classroom for a while. She was a very hard working and dependable student. She was loved by the children in my classroom. I’m so glad I was able to get to know her, if only for a little while. Melissa’s friends and family are in my thoughts and prayers in the days to come.

    Reply

  26. We have all lost such a beautiful person. I’ve spent the last few days thinking of Missy and all of the wonderful memories I have of us together. There are so few memories of my childhood/adolescence that Melissa and Jenn are not a part of. I still have a shirt that Missy traded me, it is completely tattered and barely a shirt anymore but, I think of her every time I see it. I have given my pup so many belly rubs in the past days while thinking of my dear friend he starting to lose fur on his belly. So many of the beautiful things in my life, I learned to appreciate and fully enjoy all because of her. As I watch my own children now form the same friendship that I enjoyed with Missy, I will be sure to teach them how important these friends are and how they shape your life. My life has been enriched by Missy and I will forever be grateful for that. I love you my dear friend and I will cherish you always.

    Reply

  27. Dear John and Family, Earl and I are very sorry to hear about the passing of your lovely daughter Melissa. We never had the pleasure of meeting her but we know of her many wonderful accomplishments and her deep and caring dedication to her family and to countless animals not only through her career but also in her everyday personal life at home.
    The world is less bright today but know that Melissa has made a huge imprint on so many and she will always be remembered as the bright and shining star that she is!❤️

    Reply

  30. Dear Jenn and Dan—and to your whole family—I am so sorry for the loss of your amazing sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, take care,

    Liz

    Reply

  31. I knew Melissa as a caring, knowledgeable, compassionate vet tech who always loved on our Hannah, and as a kind and generous friend. I am grateful to have known her and to have been inspired by the light she brought to this world. I’m sending love to her beautiful family during this time.

    Reply

  32. With deepest sympathy to Garrett and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for peace and healing as you face this most difficult time.

    Reply

  33. We are so sorry for your loss. Our condolences to Garrett and family. Sending our thoughts and love your way during this time.

    Reply

  35. Such a wonderful tribute to your beautiful Melissa. It has been an honor to know about her and her life through Jenn, and I look forward to always hearing more lovely stories and treasured memories of her. Today I added the Asheville Humane Society to my end-of-year giving, and I am so glad to help more puppies get more belly rubs in her name. Continually sending my love to your entire family.

    Reply

  36. When I was in the 6th grade, I went to a school dance. Melissa was the only one who approached a weird kid like me and asked me to dance. Her empathetic response change the course of my life. She’s a constant reminder of what it means to be good. I just googled her because she came to mind and I teared up when I found she had passed. May you rest in peace. Thank you for your contributions to this world.

    Reply

Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide