West Columbia, SC

Melissa Shawn Baxley Franklin, 54, passed away Monday, March 8, 2021 in a Columbia hospital.

Melissa was born in Charleston, SC, a daughter of Joe Baxley and the late Rachel Stone Baxley. She was a chemist, a graduate of Summerville High School and Trident Technical College in Charleston.

She was very creative whether it was from making a recipe from scratch to making scrap books for the grandchildren. She was also very artistic which included drawings and paintings as well as making arts and crafts from scratch, but most of all she loved spending time with her children especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her father, Joe Baxley; children, Jamie (Stephanie) Baxley, Christian Franklin, Sydney Franklin, Halen (Brandon) Strickland, and Bear Franklin; sister, Gayle (Jim) Railton; grandchildren, Harper Baxley, Emma Baxley, Ansley Franklin, and Ronin Strickland.

She was predeceased by a brother, Joey Baxley.

Services, directed by Morris Funeral Home of Hemingway, SC, will be Private.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM Thursday, March 11, 2021 in the Morris Funeral Home Chapel, 416 N. Main St., Hemingway, SC 29554.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please use good judgment, practice social distancing, and please wear a mask if attending.

Please sign the guest book at morris-funeralhome.com