Melanie Jean Taber, 48, of Morganton, NC, fell asleep in Christ on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and is resting in the arms of her Lord. Born in Burke County, NC on October 21, 1976, she was the daughter of Rev. James Edward Taber and Jeannine Diane Kelley Taber. Melanie was a member of Blessed Hope Fellowship.
In addition to her parents, those left to cherish her memory include her sisters, Jennifer Lynn Taber and Stephanie Ann Taber; Stephanie’s boyfriend, Brian Scott Curtis; Uncle Rev. Clint E. Taber of Kittery, ME; Aunt Jean Copeland Taber of Cape Cod, MA, Uncle Vernon Lee Kelley and wife, Dotty Kelley of Mt. Vernon, OH, and Aunt Rosemary Sue Kelley of Friendship, ME; and numerous first cousins of various states.
Melanie was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Horace and Elaine Kelley; paternal grandparents, Clinton and Ruby Taber; Aunt Ruby Taber Plummer and husband Bruce Plummer, Aunt Priscilla Gettney Taber, Uncle Dr. Vincent E. Taber, Uncle Rev. Raymond E. Taber and wife Heather Taber; and one first cousin of New Hampshire.
Melanie is a graduate of Freedom High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Milligan University in Eastern Tennessee. Melanie also earned her 3rd Degree Black Belt in AMAI Taekwondo from Olson’s Martial Arts Academy in Johnson City, TN. She co-founded Taber’s Black Belt Academy in Morganton, NC, along with her sisters. Melanie had the vision for them to begin this martial art school together in their hometown. Melanie also worked as Administrative Assistant at Jonas Ridge Adult Care, Behavioral Tech at North Carolina School for the Deaf, and Team Leader at Burger King.
Melanie had many talents. She played viola in the Milligan University Orchestra. She also played violin and viola in Blessed Hope Fellowship String Ensemble. In addition to orchestra, she played handbells at Milligan University and at her church. Melanie had a talent for learning languages. She loved every culture and learning their language. Melanie was a part of several mission trips, including inner city mission work in Memphis, TN, and Cristo Salva Mission in Honduras. She had a passion for sharing the gospel with everyone that she met. Melanie also had a talent for art seen through her sketches and paintings.
Melanie was a warrior throughout her nine-year journey with metastatic breast cancer, an inspiration to others, and stayed strong in her Faith in God.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Dave Ross officiating. The service will be live-streamed by the funeral home. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sossoman Funeral Home, PO Box 2608, Morganton, NC 28680 to assist with expenses.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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What a child of God Melanie was. She was determined that her cancer would not win over her and she bravely went through 9 years of pain and treatment. I followed her on her journey and was blessed to know this incredible child of God. My prayers are with her father, mother, sisters and other family members as they move on in this world without this awesome young lady. Praying for all of you and knowing God is there to wrap you all in his loving arms of love.
We are so sorry for such a great loss.I know the heart ache but I also know she safe in the arms if Jesus waiting for a great reunion in the Kingdom . When the dead will rise first & those who are a live will be caught up & so we shall live forever.
We are so sorry for such a great loss.I know the heart ache but I also know she safe in the arms if Jesus waiting for a great reunion in the Kingdom . When the dead will rise first & those who are a live will be caught up & so we shall live forever.
Melanie was such a special person to me. She had such an amazing laugh and sense of humor. Melanie was always a joy to be around and she loved deeply. Melanie always held on to her faith and she loved Jesus with every fiber of her being. She and I both loved Wonder Woman and one year for her birthday I bought her a set of Wonder Woman bracelets. I never told her this but she was definitely my Wonder Woman. I always admired her strength, love for animals, nature, and creativity. I will miss this sweet girl and she'll dwell in my heart forever until I get to see her again one glorious day. I love you Mel.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. She was truly an inspiration and a remarkable warrior. Every time I saw her, she greeted me with a smile, which amazed me given the challenges she faced with such grace and strength. She will be missed.
I will miss you !!!! But I bet your dancing in heaven!!!! You were such an inspiration during your journey!!!!
You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
She was such a sweet, wonderful lady! I knew her and her family well.. We went to Tabernacle Christian school when we were young girls.. I remember going over to her house and playing all the time.. I was so fascinated with her identical twin sisters… they all had violins they played.. as I grew up and had a daughter of my own, I took her to the Taber black belt academy.. she was an inspiration to us all . A true warrior.. she gave everything to honor the Lord!! What a testimony to us all. She will be missed! She was about to turn 50 years old.. she was about 4 months ahead of me. I’m sorry I will not be able to attend the receiving.. I will be out of town.. I just wanted to tell the entire Taber family that she will be missed , and the promised hope in Jesus that we WILL see her again!❤️