Melissa Renee Long Vaughn, 53, passed away unexpectedly at home Wednesday, June 4. She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Lee Garrison Wells, and grandparents, Mable Canode Garrison and James Garrison and Ira and Louise Price Long. Surviving is her son, Mitchell Ryan Trollinger; her father, Ira Ronald Long; and aunts, Peggy Garrison Sanders (Radford), Faye Garrison Loving (Chip) (Georgia) and Judy Long Ridinger (Blacksburg), as well as cousins Curtis Sanders (Floyd), Nick Loving and Mitchell Loving (Georgia) and Scot Thomas (Florida). In addition to family, she will be missed by special friends Joy Moore Hudgins, Carol Wall Linkous and Sammy Hungate. Melissa attended Blacksburg High School and subsequently trained as a Certified Nursing Assistant working at Meadowbrook Nursing Home, Heritage Hall Nursing Home, and LewisGale Hospital Montgomery as well as being a caregiver for many others over the years. Her cheerful, friendly, and caring personality made her well suited for this work.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 21, 1 p.m., at New Mount Zion Lutheran Church (2350 Poverty Creek Road, Blacksburg) with the opportunity to visit with the family after the service at a reception in the fellowship hall.
