Aug. 18, 1961 – April 9, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services for Melinda Gail Nash Stanley, 51, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at University Medical Center in Jackson, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Brewer officiating.

Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery in Meadville under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until service time Friday, both at the funeral home.

Ms. Stanley was born Aug. 18, 1961, in Natchez, the daughter of David “Judge” Nash and Nellie Ezell Nash. She grew up in Meadville.

A graduate of Franklin High School in Meadville, she moved to Natchez and was a resident for more than 30 years. She had a long career in public service in various capacities, most recently working for 10 years with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office in the Metro Narcotics Unit.

Melinda was an avid reader, lifelong animal lover and a huge fan of the New Orleans Saints. For a number of years she stabled her horses at the Liberty Park barn. The greatest joys in her life were her children and grandchildren.

Ms. Stanley was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include two children, Thomas Christopher Hutto of Ocean Springs and Jennifer Levigne and husband, Mike, of Prarieville, La.; two granddaughters, Brooklyn Maxwell and Addison Levigne of Prarieville; one sister, Eileen Nash Richardson and husband, Wayne, of Natchez; one brother, Michael Nash of Eddiceton; one niece, Lindsey Smith Armstrong and husband, Matt, of Jackson; and two nephews, Charles David Nash and Christopher Smith, both of Hattiesburg.

Pallbearers will be Joe Belling, Cliff Cox, Ben Long, Keith Myles, George Pirkey and Frank Smith.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Natchez- Adams County Humane Society, American Cancer Society, the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org/Donation or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.