Karla Marie Melton
Karla Marie Richardson Melton, 42, of Elliston, Va., went to her eternal home on the morning of November 20, 2022.
Throughout her 42 years of life, she loved others every chance she got just strongly as others loved her. Karla was a light to all and to know her was to love her.
She was preceded in death by her first-born child, Makayla “KK” Melton; mother, Carolyn Jones Blanchard; grandfather, Reverend William Morris Jones; uncle, Gary Jones; father, “Daddy” Michael Richarsdson; and aunt, Connie Richardson.
Those still on earth to love others as fiercely as she did is her soulmate, best friend, and life partner, David Neuhs; children, Hunter Neuhs, who was her pride and joy, and Morgan Melton, who she loved and adored dearly; step-children, Summer and James Pate and their children (Karlas grandchildren), Janie and Mike Cook; special grandmother, Evelyn Jones, who she loved so deeply; stepfather, “Dad” Bob Blanchard; aunts, Sharon Jones and Cindy (Gary) Hale; special cousins, Lindsey, Riley, and Nate Ollis; uncles, Dan and Mark Blanchard as well as their families; Makayla and Morgan's grandparents, father, and aunt, Virginia “Ginny” and David Melton, David “Davy” Melton, Melissa Melton Smith; Karla’s favorite niece, McKenna Grace Smith; her best friend and person since childhood, Crystal (RJ) Sampson and family; goddaughter, Alyssa Sampson Ranck; the other half of the Lafayette Duet; fellow golden girls lover, Jamie (Matt) Eskridge and family; and special friends, Carie (Timmy) Kingery and family whom she shared many fun times with. In addition to her family, she had numerous cousins and family friends. Also left behind to mourn the loss of such a beautiful soul is Karlas' fur babies, Peaches, Piper, and PJ.
Anyone who knew Karla knew how much she enjoyed taking care of her oldest daughter, Makayla. She loved being a caregiver for our sweet KK for all 17 years of her life. The two of them shared a bond like no other and to know that their souls are reunited gives our family some peace.
Karla was a graduate of Shawsville High School’s class of 1998 and cared for and loved so many of her classmates. Her children attended Eastern Montgomery schools, and Karla was a true mustang and was forever honored to wear maroon and black! One of Karla’s proudest titles was to be a mom of an Emory and Henry College Graduate.
The sweet disposition, easing persona, and contagious smile are just a few of the things we will miss about the beautiful soul that is Karla Marie. She never met a stranger and cared for others immensely. She was a woman of God, strong in her faith and her days and nights were spent in prayer for all of those around her. She was kind to others no matter the situation and never missed an opportunity to tell someone how much she loved them. Karla’s interests included spending time with her family and being at as many of her children's sports events as she could and cheering them on from the stands to always let them know how proud she was. Some of her other favorite hobbies included spending weekends at the lake but never missing an Amazon Prime day or an excuse to go to Target.
There are not enough words to explain how fondly she will be missed and how much she changed the lives of everyone she met. Karla will forever be in our hearts as a beloved mother, daughter, friend, life partner, and soulmate.
A celebration of Karla’s life will take place on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem, Va. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m., and a funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. She will be laid to rest on Monday, November 28, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Piedmont Cemetery in Shawsville, Va.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.
