Reflections of Life

Melanie began life on Dec. 10, 1967, as the only child of Irma Fields Davis, a high school business teacher, and Paul Davis, a history teacher.

Melanie spent her early years in Orleans Parish Public Schools. In elementary school, she formed lifelong friendships with her girlfriends Sophia Stampley and Nikki Dismuke.

Sophia and Melanie – born just eight days apart - became "thicker than thieves." Throughout high school, when you saw one, the other was never far away. "Best Friends Forever!" is how Melanie described their relationship in a post she wrote on Sophia's Facebook page. "Feeling loved with Sophia Stampley."

"Mel," as family affectionately called her, Melanie entered McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School in 1981 where she participated in choir and band.

Upon graduation in 1985, she enrolled at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She later completed her studies in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcasting at Southern University - New Orleans.

In 1987, Melanie entered the United States Marine Corps. She completed her early training at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina. She left military service in 1995 and began a career of working at Veterans Administration hospitals in New Orleans, Dallas, and Shreveport.

Melanie was so passionate about her work with injured veterans and their families that she considered returning to college to become a Social Worker.

Mel married Stanford Barre, III in November 1997 in a ceremony in her home city of New Orleans. The two are parents to their son, Blair Elvadus Barre', and grandparents to Blair Elvadus Barre', Jr. Mel received stepsons, Stanford "Lil' Pampy" Barre' IV and Joey Barre' as her own.

Mel loved her family. When her cousin Daphne Fields passed in 2017, Melanie took an active role in ensuring the mental wellness and healing of Daphne's daughter Eriel, who considered Mel a "favorite aunt."

"Tee Mel was such a big help to me after my parents passed away. She knew when I was down," Eriel said. "She would always come and get me and take me to our favorite thrift store. She always lifted people up and found the bright side in every situation. She would call me her "sweet Eriel. I was always 'Tee Mel's baby'."

Mel accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at age eight and joined Tulane Memorial Baptist Church in New Orleans. She remained a member until 2005.

That year, Hurricane Katrina displaced Melanie and Blair. They moved to Texas where Melanie attended St. John Baptist Church in Grand Prairie.

After nearly a decade in Texas, Melanie relocated to Ruston in 2016. She later united with Woodlawn Baptist Church in Farmerville.

Melanie was a consummate creative. She loved art: Live theater performances, movies, music, jewelry, natural stones, like rubies, diamonds, emeralds. She loved rocks. Yes, rocks! Mel saw beauty in nature, the ocean and all around her. She was a natural artist: She hand drew whimsical creatures like mermaids and unicorns. Then, she painted them in bright colors.

Mostly, Mel wanted happiness – for everyone. Her cousin Britani Fields said, "One thing I will always remember about Mel is how she would say 'Brit, be happy, girl, and live your life!'"

She wanted the same for her grandson and son.

"She was crazy about BJ and Blair," Britani said. "She truly loved her family."

Melanie leaves cherished memories with her beloved son, Blair, and grandson B.J.; her dear mother, Irma Davis of Ruston; beloved father and stepmother Paul and Annie Davis, of Baton Rouge; sister, TaKeal (Reginald) Poland of Shreveport; maternal aunt Nona (Donald) Haynes, of Baton Rouge; maternal uncle Elvadus (Mamie) Fields of St. Joseph; paternal aunts, Dorothy (Robert) Sharp of Carson, CA; Johnie Dorsey, Deborah Johnson, and Paula Gray, all of Bastrop; Emma (Melvin) Peoples of DeSoto, TX;  Dianne Johnson and Linda Luke, both of Reno, NV; and a host of cousins, extended family members and friends.