September 2, 2023, 54, Goldsboro —

Melissa Ann “Boo-Boo” Sauls, 53, passed away early Saturday morning at Wayne UNC Hospital. Born in Wayne County, she was the daughter of the late Tony Ellis, Jr. and the late Neta Pearl Ellis and wife of the late Johnny Richard Sauls, Jr. Melissa was a member of the Salvation Army Church and worked for many years at the Dollar General prior to declining health. She was dedicated to her family and was known for her generosity to others.

A service to celebrate Melissa’s life will be held in the chapel of Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home on Wednesday at 1:00 P.M. Entombment will follow at the Wayne Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will greet friends on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Melissa is survived by her sons, Donnie Earl “Meantail” Strickland, Jr. and his wife, Draven, and Tyler Scott Strickland; her second mother, Toni Ann “Hunkey” Gardner; her brothers, Jimbo Gardner and Squirt Gardner; a sister, Candy Cruze; six grandchildren, Kingsley Strickland, Destrey Strickland, Remy Strickland, Zachary Caine Strickland, Harley Nicole Strickland, and Brooklyn Ann Strickland; and her mother-in-law, Virginia Diehl.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Sauls family and online condolences may be sent to www.shumate-faulk.com.