Melissa Lynn Cook

Melissa Lynn Cook, 43, of Vinton, Virginia, is lovingly remembered by family and friends for the central place she held in her family’s life. Born in Wytheville, Melissa was the daughter of Michael Lynn Bass and Kay Kinley. She married Alan Cook and was a mother to children who were treasured above all else.

Melissa took joy in family gatherings and the everyday rhythms of home life. Her surviving family includes her husband, Alan Cook; her children Ryan Seth Bass, Lindsey Nicole Bass, and Haley Alana Cook; a brother Christopher Bass (Heather); and her sister Mandy Bass, along with nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and many friends who counted on her presence and support.

Services to celebrate Melissa’s life were arranged by Oakey’s Vinton Chapel. The family received friends on the evening of May 19, 2016, followed by a celebration of life on May 20, 2016, at the Chapel of Light at Evergreen Burial Park. Those who knew Melissa recall a person defined by her relationships and her place at the center of family life.

While her passing was sudden and deeply felt, the memories of her care for loved ones and the role she played within her family remain. Those who wish to honor Melissa’s memory are encouraged to hold close the quiet, everyday moments that reflected what mattered most to her: family, home, and the ties that bind.