WILMINGTON — Melissa Anne Bell, 50, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at home with her family at her side.
Melissa was born July 25, 1970, in Sea Level to father, Jerry Gray Bell, and mother, Peggy Holt Needham. She was preceded in death by her stepfather Dr. Tom Needham.
She was a former employee and office manager at Needham Animal Hospital and administrator for the North Carolina Academy of Small Animal Medicine. Animal rescue was her passion and she hand raised many orphaned birds, squirrels and other creatures.
Surviving, in additional to her father and mother, are her sons, Camden Ray Autry and Torren Lee Autry; brothers, Jerry G. Bell, Jr., Tom Needham Jr., and Elliott Nidam-Orvieto; and sister, Jenny N. Luxton, and her husband, Mike.
Due to COVID-19, services will be held at a later date.
The family suggests memorials be made in Melissa’s memory to any animal rescue organization of your choice.
Share online condolences with the family at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.
