Ms. Melissa Larie Bivins

Ms. Melissa Larie Blackshear Bivins of Centerville, Georgia, died Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the chapel of the J . W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Shady Grove Church Cemetery in Rochelle, Georgia.

Melissa Larie Blackshear Bivins was born on October 5, 1979, in Wilcox County, Georgia, to Jerry Blackshear, Jr. and Rosa Pearl Brown Blackshear.

A proud 1998 graduate of Wilcox County High School, Melissa was a lifelong learner dedicated to growth and community service. She pursued higher education with determination, earning an Associate Degree from South Georgia Technical College, as well as degrees in Medical Administration and Early Childhood Education from Albany Technical College.

A woman of unwavering faith and a firm believer in God, Melissa was a devoted member of Beulahland Bible Church in Byron, Georgia.

Her profound love for children and passion for nurturing young minds shaped her career as a dedicated Pre-K teacher at Cherished Children Too in Centerville, Georgia, where she poured her heart into guiding and inspiring her students every day.

Melissa was known for her big heart, contagious humor, and boundless capacity to care for others. She was a strong, resilient woman—a fighter through life's trials who always carried herself with strength and grace. Kind, encouraging, and genuinely compassionate, Melissa always looked for the best in everyone. Above all, she was a loving mother who treasured her family above everything else.

On July 16, 2026, Melissa completed her earthly journey and transitioned into eternal peace. Melissa was preceded in death by her beloved son, Sy'Kevious Blackshear

Her vibrant spirit and loving legacy will forever be cherished by: her loving daughters: A'Daysia Bivins of Kathleen, Georgia, and A'Niya Bivins of Centerville, Georgia; her beloved parents: Jerry Blackshear, Jr. and Rosa Pearl Blackshear of Abbeville, Georgia; her sisters, Vanessa Blackshear and Tiffany Blackshear, both of Abbeville, Georgia; her brothers, Lenoris Brown of Cordele, Georgia; Jerry Blackshear of Abbeville, Georgia; and Donte Blackshear of Rebecca, Georgia; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, and many sorrowing friends, which include Latoshia Walker and Vivian Brown both of Cordele, Georgia.