JACKSONVILLE  -  Melissa Carol Rathbone, 56, of Jacksonville, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Onslow Memorial Hospital.  A private memorial service will be held by her family.

Melissa worked with Head Start as an Early Childhood Educator until she retired. She loved music and to read and craft. She loved her children and grandchildren more than anything in the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jackie Short and Pamela Stamper.

Survivors include her sons, Lucas Short of Jacksonville, Dale Rathbone of Hubert and Chad Rathbone of Asheville, NC her daughters, Kymber Rathbone of Waynesboro, PA and Selena Rathbone of Morris, NY; two grandchildren, Jayson Vega and Dakota Colclasure; aunt and uncle, Kimberly and Eric Colclasure of Jacksonville; and other family and friends.