Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel
912-754-6421 (fax) 912-754-3426
P.O. Box 295
Springfield, GA 31329
Melissa "Missy" Usher
Springfield- Melissa "Missy" Usher, 54, passed away peacefully December 12, 2017 at Ogeechee Area Hospice while praying with the local chaplain.
The Chatham County native was born in Savannah GA on March 15, 1963. She moved to Florida for a brief period before returning back to the area and residing in Shawnee Community. Her family became members of Corinth Baptist Church, where they attended regularly. It is here where she met her future husband, Timothy Usher, and future in-laws. She and Tim were married on April 18, 1982 at Corinth shortly after she graduated from high school. They moved to Statesboro briefly before returning back to Shawnee for a period. They then built their home together in Springfield. It was in this home that they raised their 2 children.
She had several jobs over the years including working at the Statesboro Magistrate Court, and working at a local boutique in Springfield, before finally settling into being a bank teller at Nations Bank/Bank of America. She worked as a teller for 10 years before she had to resign due to complications with Multiple Sclerosis.
She was diagnosed with MS in 1995, but never let the disease get her down. Despite her illness, she was at every one of her children's class parties, ball games, school functions, and church events. She prided herself in being the best mother/wife/Christian that she could be and exuded goodness and kindness to everyone she came in contact with. She held her faith and family above all else. She dedicated her life to the Lord and spent her time being a testament to everyone around her. Even when the MS took her ability to walk, she always had a smile on her face and a positive word for everyone she saw. Despite everything life threw at her, she never let it get her down. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in July of 2016, where she was given only 4-6 months to live. She defied the odds, and lived for 17 joyful filled months before passing in December of 2017. She is now dancing down the streets of heaven.
Survivors include her husband, Timothy Usher; children, Joshua David Usher (Taryn) and Jessica Nelson (Zack); grandchildren, Stetson Mase, Cooper Nelson, and Tenlee Usher; biological mother, Lorene Dwyer; fathers, Roy Malphus (Ruth), Macklin Rowe; sister, Melinda Tebeau (Patrick); 8 biological siblings; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers remembrances may be given in Melissa "Missy" Usher's name to Ogeechee Area Hospice, 200 Donehoo Street, Statesboro, GA 30458 or Corinth Baptist Church, 239 Silver Hill Church Road, Springfield, GA 31329.

Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Corinth Baptist Church.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons
Funeral Home
Effingham Chapel
(912)754-6421