Melissa Jones VanNoppen

Melissa Jones VanNoppen passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026, in Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helene Ecker Jones and Gaston Vance Jones; her husband, Douglas F. VanNoppen; her brother, Gaston V. Jones of Shreveport, La.; and her son-in-law, John Manson Medford.

She is survived by her brother, Col. (Ret) George Thomas Jones of St. Augustine; and her children, Helene Cox and her husband, Bill of Weddington, Melissa VanNoppen of Raleigh, and Kathryn VanNoppen Medford Francis and her husband, James, of Waynesville; her grandchildren, Chance VanNoppen (Abby), Michael Beasley, Fulton Beasley (Lauren), Alex Medford, Nancy Medford, and John Medford; and great grandchildren, Maggie and Hayes VanNoppen, and Elizabeth and Emelia Beasley.

Melissa was born on Feb. 7, 1933, in Virginia Beach, Va. In her early elementary years her family moved to Saint Augustine, Fla., where she had a magical childhood on the Florida beaches and marshland. She continued to have sand in her shoes and salt water in her veins her entire life. She loved the surf, seashells and shrimp, especially when shared with her family and friends. From whale watching off the coast of Baja to looking for “baby’s ear” shells while enjoying the family beach house at Long Beach, she loved being barefoot in the sand, soaking up the sun. Every curiosity that the ocean could offer piqued her interest and sent her to research more.

Melissa graduated in 1956 from Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (Greensboro). Her house mother reunited her nephew Doug with Melissa, who had recently met each other while working at Camp Kanuga. On July 3, 1956, she and Doug, the love of her life, married. Their life together was full of raising children, enjoying extended family, traveling, and contributing to their community. Melissa was very interested in the genealogy of both families and was proud to be a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants through the lineage of William White.

Her love of the beach was matched only by her love of the beautiful Haywood County mountains that she called home for more than 60 years. “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could!” One of her first civic duties after moving to Waynesville was to help with the census, learning her way around the entire county, with trusty dog Ben in the car with her. Her commitment to being involved over the years included becoming a fixture at the election polls at Central Elementary, supporting the Arts Council, especially Folkmoot and the Atlanta Ballet Summer Residency program, hosting an international exchange student and being a tireless supporter, volunteer and fundraiser … all while being a Girl Scout-, Pony Club-, and Taxi Driving- Mom of three very social and active girls.

Melissa served 31 years on the Haywood County Public Library board of directors. Her work with the board included the expansion of smaller outreach branches in three communities and the construction of two flagship library buildings. She was also on the selection committee for two librarians and, of course, contributed countless hours to the landscaping of the Waynesville location. When she retired from the board in 1999, she felt that the greatest challenge of the coming electronic age was “to be very careful not to forget the reader who wants to hold the book in their hands.”

A faithful lifelong Episcopalian and an involved member of Grace Church in the Mountains, Waynesville. She sang in the choir, served on the altar guild, in the kitchen, was a member of the Episcopal Church Women, and a Daughter of the King. She could often be found tending the grounds of the church, from the steep side bank to the installation of the Memorial Garden. Melissa could be counted on for working on countless church bazaars, including nurturing hundreds of garden cuttings over the years to be sold in the plant booth.

Melissa’s love of plants was nurtured by her aunt, with whom she spent much time in Delaware as a young woman. She especially grew to love the native plants of her mountains and enjoyed seeking out and learning from the local experts. She was a purist and eschewed any version of a hybrid plant. Many locals have reported spotting Melissa on the side of the road tending a patch of (someone else’s) garden … or was she obtaining a few root cuttings for herself?

Always a champion of the wildlife in the area, Melissa was the protector of dozens and dozens of bluebirds. She spent many late afternoons patrolling the many bluebird houses on the Laurel Ridge golf course, inventorying nests, counting eggs, and cleaning boxes. Woe be unto the barn sparrow or wren who mistook a move-in-ready box as their next nesting site.

Melissa never met a stranger, striking up conversations with anyone over any topic. Always finding common ground, she was concerned with their needs and interests. Her curiosity and openness led to many unexpected friendships and “small world” encounters.

The family would especially like to thank Waltonwood Providence of Charlotte, where all the caregivers are named “Lovey” and every day is a Good Day.

And she would want everyone to remember that “She is not done” … “She is finished.”

Visitation will be held Friday, May 1, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Grace Church in the Mountains. The service be at 11:30 at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the memorial fund of Grace Church in the Mountains or to the Haywood County Public Library Foundation.