Melissa Nicole Duncan

The Life of Melissa Nicole Duncan, affectionately known as "Cody," was born on July 30, 1979, in Gainesville, Florida, to Shirley Obando and Alfonso Holmes. Melissa attended the public schools of Broward County and graduated from Hialeah Miami Lakes. Shortly after graduation, she started her journey in nursing. Melissa worked as a Registered Nurse at Florida State Prison for over ten years, then proudly transitioned to becoming an entrepreneur after receiving her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Public Health. Melissa built and operated Trinity's NCLEX Tutoring Services and went on to help many students with her teaching methods and professional skills to pass the NCLEX test with extreme confidence.

Melissa was a committed follower of Jesus Christ and came to know Christ relatively young. She went on to develop into a beautiful woman of God under the leadership of Victory Temple Church of Gainesville, Florida. Melissa cared deeply for her family. She was devoted to her husband, daughter, family, and friends and delighted to spend time with them. Melissa faithfully and joyfully served in many capacities, such as working in ministries, teaching, praying, and counseling. Always service oriented, her hands were never idle as she sought to do good each day.

Melissa was driven by a passion for helping others and believed the world could always use one more kind-hearted person. Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 - "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." In challenging times Melissa exhibited remarkable unwavering faith and determination. She maintained a joyful and positive perspective. She was without deception and lived by what she preached. She touched the lives of all within her family circle and considered them her most prized possession.

To know Melissa on any level was beneficial because she exemplifies spirituality. Not only encouraging others with sound advice but providing biblical scriptures for daily affirmations. Melissa was a loving spirit and will remain a voice of reason to her family and friends. Although Melissa's departure sorrows us, we rejoice in knowing that she is with her Heavenly Father for eternity. Family and numerous friends will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Jaunita Ray Myers; maternal aunt, Laura Grimes; her paternal grandparents, Wesley and Estine Byrd; and paternal aunt, Irene Nesbitt.

Her memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of her husband, Edward Duncan; daughter, Trinity Elizabeth Duncan; parents, Shirley Obando of Jacksonville, FL and Alfonso Holmes of Gainesville, FL; sisters, Regina Petty (Jessie) of Jacksonville, FL, Felicia Holmes, Christina Holmes, and Candice DeBose-Tyson (Ray) all of Gainesville, FL; brothers, Alfonso Holmes (Nickole) of Akron, Ohio, Franciso Obando of Jacksonville, FL, Andre' Bell Sr., of Indiana, IN, Ezekiel Nelson Sr., and Travis Holmes, both of Gainesville, FL; brothers-in-law, Willie Smith (Nadine) of Jacksonville, FL, and Spencer Lee Smith of Chicago, IL; as well as a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Special friends, Megan Porter of Dallas, TX, and Patricia Hightower of Miami, FL.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.

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