Melissa Grant

Melissa Lee Grant, 57, passed away on October 6, 2025, in St. Petersburg, FL after courageously battling cancer for 18 years. She leaves this world much too soon but in a far better place than it was before she arrived on September 6 in Kokomo, IN. Her parents, Jerald Walker and Diana (maiden name -Brenneman), quickly realized Melissa’s warrior spirit would best blossom in Flint, MI where she would spend most of her formative years living what she liked to describe as the life of a “tom boy” filled with sports and adventure, which would come as a surprise to most who knew her later in life, as she grew into a stunningly beautiful woman. Melissa married David Grant in 1996, and they enjoyed nearly 30 years of loving marriage. Melissa’s son Tyler, 32, joined them in the wedding ceremony and they later welcomed son Jaxon, 26, to the family; along with stepson, David James, 32, creating what was lovingly referred to as a “his, hers and ours family.”

Melissa enjoyed starting then leaving various careers and locations to be of service to her family – first departing a budding bartending career in order to date and then marry her husband; next being uprooted from a comfortable Grand Blanc, Michigan life to pursue David’s wild idea to start a new business in Fort Myers, Florida, followed again by cutting short a promising property management vocation once it became obvious that the boys (husband included) would benefit more by her assuming the “stay at home mom” role.

She built the family home into the neighborhood hangout for all of the children in the area, where she doled out cookies, counseling and comfort and would then smoothly transition into the consummate hostess for all the adults once the day turned to evening. She was an avid Michigan sports fan, a bit of a political junkie and a fierce supporter of the underserved humans and animals in our world. She loved dogs and cats and collecting pretty shoes. Much of her life was spent in pursuit of capturing the perfect photo of sunset on the edge of the shore at Crystal Lake in Frankfort, MI, which she achieved countless times. She filled the world with love and light that will stay with us forever.

Melissa is survived by her husband, David; sons Tyler and Jaxon, stepson David James; her mother Diana Brown and loving stepfather Gordon Brown; father Jerald Walker and loving stepmother Susan Walker; siblings Heather McDaniel, Jordon and Grant Walker, Aaron and Joshua Brown; and a whole host of nephews and nieces whom she loved so very much.

The First Celebration of her life will be held on Thursday October 30 in Fort Myers from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Myers Brewery, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive #28, Fort Myers, FL 33913. This will be a celebration not a service, as she desired.

 A Second Celebration will be held Crystal Lake in Frankfort, MI this Summer at a date and time TBD. Melissa’s ashes will be placed in memorial throughout her favorite places in this world.

Those wishing to honor Melissa with a donation may do so to either the Crystal Lake Watershed Association – Keeping Crystal Lake Beautiful - crystallakewatershed.org or the 15/10 Foundation – Help All The Dogs - 15outof10.org/  or to a charity of your choice.

If you would like to share a photo or written memory as part of our tribute to Melissa Grant, please send them to [email protected].