Suffolk - After a courageous fight against cancer, Melissa "Lisa" Henry, 56, of Suffolk, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on May 29, 2021.

She was born to Grace Rodgester and the late William Rodgester, July 30, 1964, in Emporia, Virginia.  Lisa graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1982 and went on to have an array of jobs before deciding to go community college. She graduated Paul D. Camp Community College in 2010.  It was during this time she found her true passion of taking care of others.  Once graduated, she pursued this passion.

Lisa is survived by her spouse, Christopher Henry; four children, Zachary Gray (Alyssa), Joshua Gray, Tori Gray, and Mayson Henry; her mother, Grace Rodgester; her stepmother, Barbara Jo Rodgester; two sisters, Nancy Suits (Ronnie) and Robin Pittman; one niece, Mackenzie Ferguson (Phillip);  two nephews, Dustin Suits (Kim) and Ryan Suits; great niece, Gracie Ferguson; great nephews, Job Ferguson, Jameson Ferguson, Kaysen Suits, and Hunter Suits; one god-child, Rafeal Harris, Jr.; her pets, Gunnar, Sheba, Australia, Molly, Moe, Tiny, Mo, Ryley, Kye, Dobby, Smoke, and Pickles; close friends, Rose Harris and her family, Davene Harris, Chris Lewis, Kyla Watson, Paul Simmons, Gayle Bartlett and many others that have been by her side.

She is predeceased by her father, William Rodgester; mother-in-law, Elaine Henry; father-in-law, James Henry; and brother-in-law, Hugh Pittman.

Lisa was a very bright, charismatic woman, who brought joy and smiles to everyone she met.  She wanted to take care of everyone she came across whether it be person or animal.  Even when she became sick, all she wanted was to help. Her husband, Chris, played a huge part in this role as well. He made sure that she could do all the things she wanted and took care of her until the end.  He was her strength.  As her children, we will forever be grateful.  Something she always taught us growing up was to always help others whenever you can even when you don't feel like it; so, I hope that's one thing we can all take away.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2PM Saturday, June 5, 2021 in Wright Funeral Home, 206 W. 4 ^th Ave., Franklin, with Pastor Curtis Faison officiating.  A private burial for immediate family only will take place in Holly Lawn Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home and suggests that those who desire to make memorial donations in memory of Lisa  do so by sending them to https://gofund.me/14ad2efd .

www.wrightfuneralhome.org