Melna June Gattis

Melna June Gattis, 74, died Monday, August 17, 2009, with her husband, son, and daughter by her bedside in her home in Cumming, Georgia. Originally from Lafayette Springs, Mississippi, June was raised in Panama City, Florida and lived in the Atlanta area since 1957.

June was born November 26, 1934, to Glenn Ray Whitehead and Onice Dale Denton. Her father worked as a technician at the local paper mill and her mother worked at Lerners womens department store. June is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Julia Hildebrand, and her brother Denny Whitehead.

June married her husband, Doug, in March 1954 and cherished each of the fifty-five years they shared together. A follower of Christ, June attended Grace Chapel Church of Christ for the past two years, and North Atlanta Church of Christ for the twenty-five years prior. June worked faithfully in the Anchor Ministry at North Atlanta, a ministry dedicated to providing spiritual support and encouragement to recovering alcohol and drug addicts. She also worked with the Jail Ministry at Grace Chapel, sharing the light and hope Jesus brought to her life, and was a faithful supporter of Christian Relief Fund and Feed the Children.

Family was the highlight of Junes life, and she treasured time with her four grandchildren, and took such pride in their accomplishments. June loved to travel and was always planning her and Dougs next trip. Shes now embarked on the greatest journey of all.

June is survived by her husband, Douglas W. Gattis, Sr.; her son, Douglas W. Gattis, Jr., his wife Jackie Denard Gattis, and their sons Douglas Wayne Gattis, III and Dillon James Gattis; her daughter Tamera Gattis Alexander, and her husband Joe F. Alexander, and their daughter Kelsey Lynn Alexander, and son Joseph Kurt Alexander.

Byars Funeral Home (155 Professional Park Drive, Cumming, GA) is handling the funeral arrangements and visitation hours will be Wednesday, August 19, 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m., and again from 6:00p.m. 9:00p.m. The funeral will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the North Atlanta Church of Christ (5676 Roberts Drive, Atlanta, GA).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Anchor Ministry at the North Atlanta Church of Christ [5676 Roberts Drive, Atlanta, GA