Melissa Marie (Herring) Ford-Simpson

Melissa Marie Herring was born August 8, 1974 to Mrs. Dorothy V. King and the late Bobby Lee Chapman King in Sardis, MS.

Melissa accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour at an early age and joined Johnson Chapel AME Zion Church where she was active in the Christian Education Department. She later joined Warner Temple AME Zion Church in Memphis, TN, where she acknowledged the call to preach the Gospel and preached her first sermon. On April 15, 2015 Melissa united with Faith In Action Ministries in Batesville, MS. She was an Evangelist and served as a Deliverance Team Assistant and Armour Bearer under Prophetess Patricia Rodgers until her passing.

Melissa received her formal education in the South Panola public schools. Along her employment journey, she received a ServSafe Certification, was employed by Batesville Nursing Home where she received training gaining her certification as a Nursing Assistant, worked as an Office Manager with Jerry’s Dozer, Dirt & Gravel and Wilson’s Cleaning Service, was a supervisor for Oxford Healthcare Services. She was also an entrepreneur, as a tax preparer. She was employed by Walmart Store # 6964 as an Apparel Department Manager until her passing.

Melissa was united in holy matrimony to Reginald Ford in 1993. She later married Willie A. Simpson on November 20, 2017.

Melissa was a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife, and grandmother. She was a person full of life who affected the life of those around her with joy and humor. She was a “Beauty Queen” keeping her lashes, hair, nails, and clothing in the latest fashions. She was a shopaholic and loved to travel as well as cook and enjoy time with her family and friends.

Melissa departed this life on May 16, 2020 at Baptist Desoto Hospital. She was preceded in death by her Father, Bobby Lee Chapman King; her grandparents, Mrs. Estell McFarling and Mr. Adolphus Chapman Sr., and Mrs. Annie Louise Herring Ford; her uncles, Ray Charles Chapman and Max Wayne Chapman; her Aunts, Emma Green, Arie R. Wright, Gennett Shaw, and Mary Louise Wright Parker; and her special sister, Carol Winfield.

Melissa leaves a legacy and many great memories to cherish with her loving family. Her memories will remain in the heart of her husband, Willie A. Simpson (Charleston, MS); her mother, Dorothy V. King (Courtland, MS); two sons, Jamal D. Herring (Memphis, TN) and JaCameron R. Ford (Walls, MS); and one daughter, Anissa L. Ford, (Walls, MS); two step children, Tkelah Carter and Willie Carter (Charleston, MS); one special daughter, Tramaine Mack; one brother, Travis C. King (Kesha) (Milwaukee, WI) and one sister, Clarice H. Jackson (Napoleon)(Courtland, MS). She leaves thirteen grandchildren, and a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts and in-laws. Melissa developed special relationships with Toyshia Johnson Mclain and Sharon Ford Taylor (Sisters), Kenisha Sandridge (Friend), Alesha Morgan Doyle (Cousin, Ride or Die), and Patricia Rodgers (Spiritual mom)