Melissa Ann Reed Sumner

Melissa Ann Reed Sumner, age 75 of Ackerman, Mississippi passed away at her son's residence in Starkville, Mississippi on Thursday morning early, April 16, 2026. Melissa was born July 20, 1950, in Maben, Mississippi to the late Woodrow Wilson Prescott and Beecher Prescott.

She is survived by her husband, Danny Sumner of Ackerman, Mississippi; her son, Richard Reed (Kristin) of Starkville, Mississippi; and her three grandchildren, Mallory Elisha, Meredith Gail, and Macie Ann, who were the lights of her life. She is also survived by her six sisters: Jackie Christopher Poss; Jimmie (“Bootsie”) Cooper; Sherry (Billy) Shackelford all of Maben, Mississippi; Judy (Wallace) Hillhouse; Brenda (Danny) Reed of Mathiston, Mississippi; and Debbie Vickers of Eupora, Mississippi; one brother, Lynwood Prescott of West Point, Mississippi; a host of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; and her dear friend, Margie Dean Hodges.

Melissa is preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Beecher Prescott; her former husband and the father of her son, Mickey Lloyd Reed; her sisters, Mavis Fisher and Evelyn Brewer; her brother, Rayburn Prescott ; her brothers-in-law, L.D. Brewer, Lynn Christopher, Randall Poss, Fred Vickers, and Steve Ferguson; and her sister-in-law, Amelia Prescott.

Melissa was a sweet soul with a big personality. She lit up every room she entered and quickly came to know everyone there and their stories. She had an uncanny way of making each person she spoke with feel like they were the only one in the room. She had the heart of an entertainer, which was one of her special gifts. She took great pleasure in making others laugh and loved to dance and sing. She loved her son, Richard, deeply and often referred to him as her pride and joy. Because she did not have a daughter, she thought of her daughter-in-law, Kristin Reed, as her own. She took the greatest pride in her three grandchildren, supporting them in all their extracurricular activities and treasuring the time she spent with them. Melissa was also a member of Sturgis Baptist Church in Sturgis, Mississippi and a believer in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. 

Her hobbies included reading, dancing, decorating for the seasons and holidays, making others laugh, and especially serving others. She particularly looked forward each month to “Sister Night,” when she spent time with her six remaining sisters.

For the past 26 years, she cherished her time with her husband, Danny Sumner, who worshiped and adored her.

Funeral Services to celebrate the life of Melissa will be held at 10:00AM on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel in Eupora, Mississippi. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Oliver Funeral Home from 6:00PM until 8:00PM and again at 9:00AM until time for services at 10:00AM on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Interment will follow the services Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Clarkson Cemetery.

Rev. Russell Mord will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Chris Reed, Rodney Reed, Walter Prescott, Cliff Johnson, Jason Hillhouse, Tom Christopher and Kirk Smith.

Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Sumner and Reed families.