Allen Memorial Service Planned for Sallee LaFave
Sallee was born to Martha Hinson LaFave and Roland LaFave on December 15, 1969, in Charlotte, North Carolina. “She was an early Christmas gift and will be regarded as one in my heart,” said her mother.
She is survived by her husband Thomas Melton of Allen, Oklahoma; her mother, Martha LaFave of Myrtle Beach, North Carolina; and her father Roland LaFave (Judy) of Holden Beach, North Carolina. Ms. LaFave-Melton also leaves behind a daughter Laura Ashley LaFave of Myrtle Beach and a younger brother Louis Kirk LaFave (Kim) of Marvin.
The medical profession was Sallee’s aspiration since her high school years at Sun Valley High School during which she volunteered as a hospital ‘candy-striper’ and nursing home student assistant.
She graduated with honors in the pre-medical program from South Piedmont Community College in Polkton, North Carolina before taking classes at Wingate University. She transferred from Wingate University to Methodist College in Fadeville where she earned in 2004 her Bachelor of Science degree. Sallee went on to receive her Master of Science degree, specializing in cancer research/microbiology, and a Physician Assistant degree in 2007 from Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia. She interned at Saint Thomas Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia, and worked as an assistant to Dr. Sweeny, a cardiologist in Lawton, Oklahoma until moving to the small rural town of Allen to set up her own community clinic. In Lawton, Sallee married her life-long sweetheart Thomas Melton in 2013.
The LaFave-Melton Clinic was almost completed when she succumbed to medical complications from prior surgery. Sallee was active in her community, and attended the Market Place Church, Allen. She loved to sew and flower gardening. She relieved stress by hiking and watching cartoons and sharing her love and time with her family.
Memorial service for Sallee will be held at Heritage Funeral Home at Indian Trail, North Carolina on Saturday, October 26th , at 2:00 pm. Service will be officiated by Pastor Wayne Owenby of Grace Baptist Church, Monroe, North Carolina.
A Celebration of Life service in memory of Sallee will be held next Saturday, November 2nd , 2:00 pm, at the Market Place Church, south of Broadway on Baltimore Street in Allen, with Rev. Aaron Finney officiating.
Sallee’s mission was to help people and she treated everyone like family.