Melissa Lynne Stuart

Melissa Lynne (Goins) Stuart, age 56, of Battle Creek went to be with her Lord on Wednesday evening, June 24, 2026 at the University of Michigan Medicine Hospital in Ann Arbor, following complications from an automobile accident. She was born in Battle Creek on June 18, 1970, the loving daughter of Dennis Owen "Bo" and Carol Lynn (Hammock) Goins. Melissa worked for many years as a manager at the Augusta Shell Station and the Bedford Valley Golf Course, and also worked as a waitress at Wild Mike’s Restaurant. She was baptized when she was 18, the same day as her grandma and her dad.  She loved dogs & rescued many. Melissa loved life on the lake including fishing, bird watching & watching the sunrise. She also loved the color pink, loved to go shopping, & loved spending time with her family, especially her mom.

Melissa is survived by her mom, Carol (Hammock) Goins; her brother, David Lee Goins; her sister-in-law, Jamie Goins; her nephew and nieces, Bo David (Cassie) Goins, Brooklyn (Ryley) Everett, and Bricelyn (Joel) Szarejko; her step-daughter, Ashley Caron; her best friend, Tammi Goins; her dogs Myles & Marshall; and several cousins and great-nieces & nephews. She was sadly preceded in death by her daughter, Sasha Stuart in 2004; her dad, Bo; her husband, Dan Stuart; and her fiancé, Bob Ratliff.

The family will receive friends 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home and Cremation Services where services to Celebrate Melissa’s Life will be held 12:00 noon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. The family would like to request that everyone try to wear the color pink in memory of Melissa. Memorials may be directed to the Michigan Medicine Liver Transplant Center. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Melissa may be placed at www.henryfuneralhome.org.