Melissa Clark Gill died in peace at her home in Murfreesboro on June 6, 2019, at the age of 67. Lissa was an artist and educator who instilled a passion for culture in her children and her students. She was an avid reader of everything from literary classics to spy fiction to art history. She loved to garden, and she sustained a keen interest in politics and current events. Lissa was deeply devoted to her family. She is survived by her husband, Warren; her son and daughter-in-law, William & Meg; her daughter, Greer; and her brother, Philip Clark, and his family.
Visitation will be held at Higgins Funeral Home in Lissa’s hometown of Fayetteville, Tennessee, on Saturday, June 8, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be at Higgins on Sunday, June 9, at 1:00 PM with a burial to follow at Old Orchard Cemetery in Petersburg.
Memorial contributions to an art education fund may be made by sending a check to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205, or by donating online at cheekwood.org/support/give/donate-to-the-annual-fund/.
36 Comments To "Melissa Clark Gill"
#1 Comment By Dan and Liz Troup and family On June 7, 2019 @ 9:43 pm
Dr. Gill and family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
#2 Comment By Wanda On June 7, 2019 @ 9:44 pm
I am so so sorry for your loss.
#3 Comment By Joel Hastings On June 7, 2019 @ 10:38 pm
Melissa and I went through the elementary and High School years. I worked at H.G. Hills and then at Cavaliers. She was a friend through all
those years. The entire Clark and Gill family has been a wonderful mix and the result is a special generation. “To God be the Glory.” Melissa, you were a special creation by God and you have blessed all of us. I love you forever. You have honored your parents!
c
#4 Comment By Anne Hopkins Sanders On June 8, 2019 @ 12:07 am
So sorry for your loss.
#5 Comment By Pat Pelot Sanders On June 8, 2019 @ 12:48 am
I am very saddened about Lissa’s death. She was a truly sweet and sincere person. I appreciated her interest in current events….national and international. Thinking of her loved ones !
#6 Comment By Kay Carter On June 8, 2019 @ 1:01 am
I just loved Lissa and will miss her humor and insight into this crazy world in which we live. She was just simply the best and I am so grateful to have rubbed shoulders with her these past few years. I’m really going to miss her.
#7 Comment By Judy Bales On June 8, 2019 @ 1:25 am
Lissa and I were best friends at Auburn University when we were art students in the early 1970’s. Though we lived far apart after college, we stayed close for more than 45 years. One of my favorite memories from that time period is relaxing with Lissa for hours paging through art book after art book. We never tired of looking at the images, commenting and sharing opinions about what we viewed. Lissa not only had an incredibly refined eye for beauty, but she always perceived the deeper meaning and truth that the best art represents, and the power that great art has. I know she instilled this understanding in her students. She cared deeply for her beautiful family and I will always cherish our friendship.
#8 Comment By Billy &Patsy Gray On June 8, 2019 @ 3:30 am
So sorry for your loss
#9 Comment By Mary Merrill On June 8, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
I feel bad that I can’t come and give you my condolences in person, but I am in Chicago.
Please know I am feeling your loss.
How I would love to be able to give you a hug. You are in my prayers.
#10 Comment By Lou Nave On June 8, 2019 @ 1:56 pm
So incredibly sorry for your loss.
#11 Comment By Mary Merrill On June 8, 2019 @ 2:50 pm
I feel bad that I can’t come and give you my condolences in person, but I am in Chicago.
Please know I am feeling your loss.
How I would love to be able to give you a hug.
You are in my prayers.
#12 Comment By Carlotta Wright On June 8, 2019 @ 2:56 pm
The world is a lesser place without Lissa’s creativity, sense of humor, quick wit, and her laugh. Cheers, dear friend, to a life well lived!
#13 Comment By Bill Newsom On June 8, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
Dr. Gill
So sorry for your loss. Prayers
Psalm 147:3
#14 Comment By Brenda Johnson On June 8, 2019 @ 3:31 pm
I remember Lissa from the Department of Art and Design at MTSU. She worked for the department as an adjunct and was well liked by her students. I often saw her at Gallery openings in the new building. She was a wonderful person, beautiful smile, and a true Southern lady. May your hearts be full of memories. God bless and give you comfort.
Brenda Johnson
MTSU
#15 Comment By Linda Groce Ashby On June 8, 2019 @ 5:16 pm
Warren, so sorry for your great loss. Lissa was such a sweet smart woman. I enjoyed being around her in high school! May God give you comfort and peace!
#16 Comment By Roger and Linda Thackston On June 8, 2019 @ 6:12 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
#17 Comment By Jimmy Matthews On June 8, 2019 @ 6:24 pm
Warren and family members, so sorry for your loss. Our words may be of little comfort. Maybe Psalm 34:17-19 words will. May God bless and keep you.
#18 Comment By Susan DeMay On June 8, 2019 @ 7:07 pm
Lissa Gill was an awesome lady — so elegant, so poised, so knowledgeable and so kind She was funny too. I will miss her dearly, as she and Connie and Vickie, and I shared a love of art and socio-political views which she was never afraid to discuss. I always enjoyed her company and am sad that those times have come to an end. My sincerest condolences to her family and other friends. I have not yet decided in what art organization or school I will pay her honor. I know she worked tirelessly to elevate the art program at Cumberland University so likely I will find out what would benefit them. RIP, sweet Lisa, my dear friend.
#19 Comment By Wilson Wright On June 8, 2019 @ 7:21 pm
I am saddened at Lissa’s passing. She is now in a better place. You are in my prayers.
#20 Comment By Faye Brandon On June 8, 2019 @ 7:30 pm
Lissa, What a joy to have had you in my circle of friends. In the last several years you have gone ahead of your Aunt Gene as a favorite Gotcher. God Bless You and I love you.
#21 Comment By Dolores Chapman Lewis (class of ‘69) On June 8, 2019 @ 8:31 pm
Warren,
So sorry to hear about Lissa. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
#22 Comment By Jane Carr On June 8, 2019 @ 9:23 pm
May God bless you and your family during
this difficult time. Lean on God, family and
friends to help you.
I used to be your neighbor and the times I
saw Lisa and spoke to her, I enjoyed very much.
#23 Comment By Pat & John Sobrero On June 8, 2019 @ 9:25 pm
Condolences to you and your family.
#24 Comment By Dean Norton On June 8, 2019 @ 11:00 pm
Warren, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time. May God The Father give you peace and comfort. Dean /Julie
#25 Comment By Larry and Alice Darnell On June 9, 2019 @ 12:16 am
So sorry for your loss! Alice and I send our love and prayers for you and your family.
#26 Comment By Billy Gray On June 9, 2019 @ 12:52 am
So sorry for your loss
#27 Comment By Michael Rex On June 9, 2019 @ 2:59 am
She was amazing – the first friend I made at CU. She welcomed me without hesitation. She will be missed.
#28 Comment By Karen Hobson On June 9, 2019 @ 3:31 am
Very sorry for your loss, Gill family! Lissa was a sweet lady. I worked with her for several years at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN.
#29 Comment By Larry and Wanda Hames On June 9, 2019 @ 11:48 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. May God bless you with strength and comfort .
#30 Comment By Dora On June 9, 2019 @ 1:08 pm
“One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others…”-Simone de Beauvoir
I’m thankful for the years that she attributed so much value into the lives of her students. She was my advisor, professor, and friend that I looked up to. I will never forget her.
#31 Comment By Danny and Jane Jennings On June 9, 2019 @ 1:13 pm
Lissa was beautiful person. Our lives are better for having known her. May
God bless you during this difficult time.
#32 Comment By Mike and Jeanie Hyde On June 9, 2019 @ 3:11 pm
We are so sorry for your loss! Our prayers are with your family.
#33 Comment By Tim and Lisa Moore On June 9, 2019 @ 4:33 pm
Warren, we are truly sorry to hear of Lissa’s passing. May your memories bring many smiles to you and your family.
#34 Comment By Denise J. Brandon On June 10, 2019 @ 1:12 pm
Dr. Gill, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray God will give you comfort during this time and through the days ahead.
#35 Comment By Wanda and Bob Williams On June 11, 2019 @ 4:19 pm
Dr. Gill, We are so sorry for you and your family in the great loss of Lissa. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Wanda and Bob Williams
#36 Comment By Ola Archer On June 11, 2019 @ 5:17 pm
‘Doc’ and the family, I am deeply saddened by your loss. Sending healing thoughts and prayers today and for the days ahead. Much love, Ola