Melissa Anne Bell

July 25, 1970 - August 26, 2020
Melissa Anne Bell

Memorial Gifts & Donations




My beautiful daughter, Melissa Anne Bell lost her battle with colon cancer on Wednesday August 26, 2020. Due to Covid restrictions there was no service at that time.

On Sunday, July 25, 2021 (what would have been her 51st birthday) we invite family and friends to join us for a Celebration of Life service at Wilmington Funeral and Cremation Chapel. The service will be at 2:00 pm and immediately followed by visitation and a reception.

Melissa was born in Sea Level, North Carolina on July 25, 1970, to Jerry Gray Bell and her mother Peggy Holt Needham. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Dr. Tom Needham. Melissa graduated from the Patterson School in Lenoir, NC and Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, Ga. She was a former employee and office manager at Needham Animal Hospital and Administrator for the North Carolina Academy of Small Animal Medicine. Animal rescue was her passion and she hand raised many orphaned birds, squirrels, and other creatures.

Surviving in addition to her father and mother are her sons Camden Ray Autry and Torren Lee Autry; brothers Jerry G. Bell, Jr; Tom Needham, Jr.; and Elliott Nidam-Orvieto; sister Jenny N. Luxton, numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Also surviving is former husband Reggie Autry.

Please share memories and condolences to the family by clicking the “condolence Tab” below and also view the “VIDEO TRIBUTE”.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099

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  • July 19, 2021
    Donna Bell Lewis says:
    Peggy, My heart is broken for you. She was a beautiful young woman. I pray that God will heal your sorrow.

  • July 23, 2021
    Nancy and Tony Coleman says:
    So glad I was able to spend some time with Melissa on her final birthday last year and then come by for a brief visit and hug during her last week. She was truly blessed to have the special care and love that her mother and her brother gave her 24/7. True love is patient and kind. She will be waiting for us looking beautiful and healthy when we meet again..and so very happy. I send my condolences to the family for now.

  • July 24, 2021
    Frances Deabenderfer says:
    Mrs. Peggy & family I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. Melissa was beautiful.inside & out. I met her in 1989/.1990 at Needhams. She made my.cats & I so comfortable. Yes. I remember meeting Dr. Needham.&.Ms. Peggy. I was from.out of town & stupid me did not know the connection between.you all. Later on Melissa.&. I met at a mutual friends.party. Her & Reggie. & my hubby & I. We just adored her. A few years went by.. Oh my I saw.her with her son & she saw me with with mine. It was like we just caught up so quickly. We were smiling & laughing. I adored Melissa . Again she was a beautiful person inside.& Out. She had such character. She was one of a kind & will never be forgotten. She loved her family & son's dearly. I am so thankful that I knew her & could call her a friend. My thoughts & prayers are with all of her family & friends. She was such a great mother & loved her son's dearly.