Melissa Ann Penry Williams, 61, of Leitchfield, KY, formerly of Paducah, KY, and Nashville, TN, died Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at her mother’s home in Paducah.
Melissa was born in Paducah on October 13, 1955. She graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School in 1974 and Transylvania University in 1978. She taught music at Berea High School and worked briefly at WDXR radio in Paducah. Melissa eventually moved to Nashville to begin a long career in journalism. She worked at WSM radio before beginning an over twenty-year-career at WKRN Channel 2 where she was the entertainment and education reporter. She won Emmys and was recognized by the Tennessee Education Association for her valuable work. In 2010, Melissa married David Williams and she moved to Leitchfield, KY. While in Leitchfield, she was a master gardener and dedicated member of the Grayson County Alliance. She attended Broadway United Methodist Church in Paducah and West End United Methodist Church in Nashville.
She is survived by her husband, David Williams; mother, Sara Alexander Penry of Paducah; sisters, Suzanne (Will) Reiersen of North Carolina and Carol (David) Edwards of Port Townsend, WA; and beloved nieces and nephews, Anne Edwards and Lucas, Ashley and Brian Buseck.
She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Douglass Penry.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30pm Saturday at Broadway United Methodist Church with Revs. Lora Jean Gowan and Joe Beal officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm Saturday at the church.
Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.
Contributions may be made in Melissa’s memory to the Grayson County Alliance, 2203 Brandenburg Road, Leitchfield, KY 42754 or gc-alliance.com.
You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.milnerandorr.com.
