Melanie Smith Bratcher, 64, passed away July 25, 2026, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Melanie was born March 15, 1962, in London, Kentucky, to Herman and Anglee Peters Smith. She was a 1980 graduate of Laurel County High School and a 1984 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Home Economics. It was at UK where she met her husband, David, and they married in 1985. The couple moved to California, where David served in the Air Force. While there, Melanie added teaching credentials to her résumé. Upon moving to Robins AFB, Georgia, in 1989, she began her employment with the Houston County Board of Education as a middle school Family and Consumer Science teacher. During her career, she added Master of Education and Educational Specialist degrees from Georgia Southwestern State University and also served as adviser of her school's Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. In all, her career spanned over 31 years.

Never one to sit still, Melanie loved taking walks, being outside, and exploring new places. Her goal was to visit all 50 states.

She enjoyed sewing, working puzzles, crafting, and home improvement projects. She prided herself on making her home welcoming and inviting to all who visited. She was very social and loved spending time with family and friends. Melanie served on the Board of Directors of the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia and the Middle Georgia Youth Ballet. A lifelong fan of the University of Kentucky sports programs and a Life Member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, she “bled blue”. Melanie was preceded in death by her husband, David.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her children, Kevin Bratcher of Atlanta, Georgia and Emily Florida (Tony) of Loveland, Colorado; grandson, Brody Florida of Loveland, Colorado; sister, Melissa Fouts (Mark) of Anchorage, Alaska and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation with Melanie’s family will be Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with the memorial service, celebrating her life, following in the chapel.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.