Melissa Black Jessop passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 20, 2014, at the age of 44, in her home in Ogden. She was born November 19, 1969 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to Karl Dean Black and Claudia Porter Black.
She attended schools in Springville, Utah where she excelled academically and received many honors, including Foreign Language Sterling Scholar. She was selected to attend the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge as a youth representative, and served as a delegate at Girl’s State. She was a dancer with the Springville Community Ballet Dance Theater. She played doubles for 3 years on the Springville High School Tennis Team.
After high school she performed with the Dance Company and LD Singers at Snow College, graduating in 1990. She served a full-time mission for the LDS Church in the Argentina, Trelew Mission from 1990-1992, then continued her education at Utah State where she again danced and performed with the LDS Institute show choir “New Horizons” and the Utah State Modern Dance Company. She graduated in 1994 with a degree in English with an emphasis in professional and technical writing. She was accepted to the University of Utah School of Law, but chose instead to focus on her family.
She worked as a trail walker and office manager for the Anasazi Foundation, working with troubled youth. She also worked as a writer for the Infinity Corporation and a technical writer and project manager for the Waterford Institute.
She married and was sealed to Samuel Jessop November 4, 2000, in the Mount Timpanogos Temple, beginning a family which would grow to include 6 children, three of whom passed away in infancy. Melissa’s unfailing faith helped her face and overcome trials with unwavering courage and dignity. She viewed her challenge with cancer as a journey of learning. Melissa loved dancing, singing, writing, organizing (especially with containers), but most of all she loved her family, and serving others.
She was member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in various church callings with distinction. She was happy to serve wherever she was needed. Her true joy in life was serving others. Melissa will always be remembered as a self-sacrificing, compassionate woman who was full of faith and goodness. She emulated the Savior in every way throughout her life. Everyone who knew her felt of her love for them.
She is survived by her husband: Samuel Porter Jessop; her children: Cassandra Elizabeth Jessop, Austin Porter Jessop, Bethany Ruth Jessop; her mother: Claudia Porter Jackson (Ralph); her siblings: Laurie (Brent) Whiting, David Black, Adam Black, Kimberli (Jeff) Barrow, Christopher Black, Jennifer Black, Triana (Jeremy) Pledger, Michael Black. She was preceded in death by her father Karl Dean Black and her children: Karl Jaymes Jessop, Caleb Joshua Jessop, and Daniel Allred Jessop.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lorin Farr Stake Center, 480 East 7th Street, Ogden, Utah. There will be a viewing held Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd, Ogden and Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. at Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East, Springville, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to a mission/college fund for her children on this site or to the general missionary fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
9 Responses
John Horsley
Claudia, so glad that I found this blog. So sorry to hear of Melissa’s struggle with cancer ad her recent passing. I can only imagine the sadness that this brings to all of you. Melissa is such a great woman who represented herself, her family and The Lord in all that she did. My life was blessed for the time that I knew her and spent time with her.
Tammy Northrup
Aunt Claudia, We were so sad to hear Melissa had passed away. I’m so grateful we were able to visit with her and the rest of your family last fall at my parents home. What a treasure memories are. I will be at her graveside service on Tuesday. Your family will be in our prayers. Tammy
Wendy
I’m so sad the world has lost such a sweet person. I send my love to all of her family. Xoxox
Janet Priday Peer
Dear Black and Jessop family,
We were saddened to hear of Missie’s passing. We always felt she was almost one of our family because she was at our home so often and she Sarah spent so much time playing together. Missie was always so enthusiastic and full of life. She and her husband stopped by our home one evening several years ago and it was such fun to catch up on memories. We love Missie! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very tender time.
Naomi & Roy Dickens
We are so sorry to hear of Melissa’s passing. She is a sweet and loving person. May you be blessed with peace and comfort during this sad time.
Naomi Dickens
We are sad to hear of Melissa’s passing. She is a sweet and loving person. May you be blessed with peace and comfort at this sad time.
Robyn Cornell
I am so sorry for your loss. I am a close friend of Jennifer’s. I love your family and my prayers are with you.
Terri Fisher Jensen
It does not surprise me that such a lovely woman, Melissa, would come from such a lovely Mother, Claudia. It was my blessing to know the Blaine Porter Family when I was growing up in Provo, Utah.
And so, my dear friends, I mourn with you today at the loss of such a remarkable woman. Although I do not know Melissa, I know her story of heartache, courage, faith, and goodness…and finally, of triumph.
Please know that my love, my caring and my prayers are with each of you, and with her dear, treasured family. May God bless and comfort and encircle each of you in the arms of His love…
Ryan McQuivey
Claudia, David and family, I just ten minutes ago heard of this tragedy. I am shocked and numb by this. My mind is suddenly filled with so many memories of our childhoods spent together. The memories of all the games we played and all the adventures we shared are so crisp in my mind. I remember Melissa as being so pretty and always happy. I remember she and David trying to teach us how to tumble (with little success), it was always the best times at the Black home. I feel like at the time I was an unofficial member of their family. They always welcomed me and made me feel a part of them. I still feel a bond with them and my heart is breaking for each of them at this time. RIP Melissa