Melody Dawn Merritt

Melody Dawn Merritt was born November 17, 1956 in Tampa, Florida to Robert Glenn Smith and Charlotte Carr Floyd. She spent some of her years on Texas, the northeast area and Surfside Beach, before moving to the panhandle of Florida where she called Freeport, DeFuniak Springs, and, then Panama City Beach home. Melody passed away on August 23, 2026.

Melody was most proud of her family. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren more than anything, and she was always excited for any opportunity to spend time with them. She had a sweet spot in her heart for animals, too - particularly dogs and horses. She enjoyed listening to music - especially Stevie Nicks, going to the beach and collecting shells, gardening, doing puzzles, playing Scrabble, watching movies, and traveling. Her love of travel allowed her to see many beautiful and memorable places. All of her hobbies were most enjoyed when she was doing them with family.

One of her favorite sayings was a Robert Frost quote used in one of her favorite movies, A Love Song for Bobby Long -- “And were an epitaph to be my story, I’d have a short one ready for my own. I would have written of me on my stone: I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.”

Melody leaves behind 2 daughters: Jillian Fleet and Bobbie Jo Washington (Dale), grandchildren: Violet Bishop, Brooklynn Megginson, Olivia Grasso, Alaina Fleet, Carson Fleet, and Presley Coone, and great-grandchildren: Jasmine Delone, Genesis Grasso, Whitley Wilson. She is also survived by nieces, great nieces, more family members, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother Charlotte Carr Floyd, father Robert Glenn Smith, daughter Jacqueline Merritt Grasso, grandson Keaton Fleet, step-father Joe Floyd, and her beloved dog of 17 years, Emmaleigh Ann Jr. 

A wonderful sense of humor and an ability to make anyone laugh until they cried were just two of her many special qualities. She loved well, and she was well loved in return. Though there is peace in knowing she is no longer sick or in pain and that she is with her Lord and Savoir, she will be deeply missed, and she will forever live in their hearts of all who knew and loved her.