Ms. Melissa Jean Ratley, 46, of Saint Pauls, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026.

Melissa was born on November 29, 1979, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Daniel Clark Ratley and Deborah Pearce Ratley. She attended Saint Paul’s Elementary School, Hope Mills Middle School, and South View High School. She later completed cosmetology training in Fayetteville and worked for many years as a cosmetologist, taking great pride in her work and the lasting relationships she built with her clients.

Melissa had a deep love for the outdoors and especially enjoyed spending time on the water. She loved trips to the beach, rivers, and lakes, and treasured time spent on boat rides with family and friends, as well as riding jet skis.

Above all, Melissa’s greatest joy and purpose in life was being a loving mother to her son, Jaxson Noah Lee, whom she loved deeply and devoted herself to wholeheartedly.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, John Thomas Ratley and Sarah Tyner Ratley, and her maternal grandmother, Helen Green Pearce (Nana).

Melissa leaves to cherish her memory her beloved son, Jaxson Noah Lee; her parents, Daniel Clark Ratley and Deborah Pearce Ratley; her sister, Ashley Ratley Fluitt and brother-in-law, Patrick Vincent Fluitt; her niece, Elsie Danielle Fluitt; her nephew, Ethan Vincent Fluitt; her maternal grandfather, William Franklin Pearce, Sr. (Papa); along with extended family and many dear friends.