Minister Yvonne Wilson

Minister Melanie Yvonne Smith (Wilson) was born on September 26, 1963, to the late Elizabeth Ann Smith. Melanie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at 11 years old on the last day of revival at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Evarts, Kentucky.

Melanie attended Western High School and graduated with honors. She also attended the University of Louisville. Melanie started her culinary career at Brown Forman in Louisville, Kentucky.

Melanie was called into the ministry in 2004. From an early age she had a passion for the youth and God gave her the ability to put her gifts to work. She started her work with the youth at R. E. Jones Missionary Baptist Church. Melanie was a Youth Director at multiple churches and a Lunch Lady of America at Cochran Elementary. At Cochran Elementary she was affectionately known as "Granny" to her students. She made a powerful impact in many peoples lives. Melanie did what Matthew 5:16 requires us as believers to do. Melanie let her light shine and won souls for the kingdom of God.

Along with her mother, Melanie is preceded in death by her loving grandmother, Winnie (Big Mama) Cooper; her niece, Tonyell Smith; her uncle, Willie Frank Goudy; nephew, Ura Smith; dear cousin, Jimmy Coleman, and her adoptive niece, Sherita Hall.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Aletia Smith-Devine (Eugene Devine), Erin Wilson (Twyone Watkins Sr.), and Tara Wilson (Christopher Smith); her grand babies, Erion, Taran, Twyone Jr., Mya, Elijah, Tarrell, Aaliyah, Angelica, Tauri'Leigh, Aaminah, Trenton, Eva, and Ta'Nia; her sisters, Tonja, Letha, Stephanie, and Terri; her GFT family; bonus sons; bonus daughters; bonus grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, October 7, 2022, at Greater First Timothy Missionary Baptist Church, 1520 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40210, from 12pm-2pm with a celebration of Melanie's life beginning at 2pm.

She will be truly missed and will forever live in our hearts.

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