Ms. Melissa Alene Hart, 45, of Atlantic, lost her fight with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, surrounded by her family. Melissa was born on May 2, 1978, in Nassawadox. She was the beloved daughter of Marilyn and Robert (Bud) Martin and the late William Hart Jr.
Melissa spent her life serving her community volunteering at Oak Hall Rescue and Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue, dispatching for 911 at the Chincoteague Police Department, Accomack County Sheriff’s Department, and Wallops Flight Facility, and giving her time to many fundraisers and charities.
As her life partner, Ivan S. Cowan, says, “She adopted animals and humans.” She spent many hours with the community at large, even taking on what she called her favorite hobby of working at Captain Zack’s Seafood with some of her good friends, Tammy and Crystal. Melissa attended Accomack County Schools and was involved in sports and band. She attended Atlantic Methodist Church as a child and Sonrise Baptist Church in Berlin, Md., as an adult.
Melissa was preceded in death by her aunt, Margie Buchanan; her uncle, Richard Hayes; her maternal grandparents, Benjamin and Marjorie Hayes; and her paternal grandfather William Hart Sr.
Melissa is survived by her two beautiful daughters, Brianna Hudson (Josh), of Atlantic, and Nicolette Vickers of Wallops Island; two grandchildren, Reed and Ava; two sisters; Tina Hohenstein (Aaron), of Denton, Md., and Carrie Washington (Jay), of Parksley; five nephews; Chris Josey (Sarah), of Bowie, Md., Nick Josey, of Denton, Darren West, of Pocomoke City, Md., Robbie Washington, of Parksley, and Alec Hohenstein (Caitlin) of Denton; two nieces; Elizabeth Liddle, of Exmore, and Kylie Rovenolt (Adam), of Denton; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that she considered family.
Services will be held at Atlantic Baptist Church on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Richard Inman and the Rev. John Higginbotham officiating. There will be a reception following the service at Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Intrepid USA Hospice at Home at 165 Market Street, Suite 2, Onancock, VA 23417, and Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue at 10071 Atlantic Road, Atlantic, VA 23303.
Melissa will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and everyone that knew her.
Online condolences can be given at www.salyerfh.com Services were entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc., Chincoteague Island.
