Melissa Elaine Starbuck

Melissa Elaine Starbuck passed away unexpectedly at her home near Crawfordville, FL on June 22, 2021. She was born in Bloomington, Indiana on July 22, 1957. Her early childhood was spent in North Carolina where her father was on the music faculty at UNC-Greensboro. When Melissa was six, he changed careers, joining the United States Information Agency and the family lived in different parts of the world, including Yugoslavia, Washington, D.C, and Manila, Philippines. In 1968 she moved with her mother and brother to Tallahassee to be near their Hamilton and Wooten relatives in Jefferson County. Her parents divorced a bit later. Melissa attended Woodville Elementary School, Fairview Middle School and Rickards High School, where she was very involved in choral music, and had the lead in their production of "Li'l Abner". She attended TCC and The School of Music at FSU where she was a member of University Singers. She was a proficient medical transcriptionist, working for several doctors, CHP, and TMH. After moving to Wakulla County and marrying Dale Cook, she began to seriously pursue varied hobbies and talents. She was an avid environmentalist, nature photographer, bird watcher, and a gifted stained-glass artist. She loved animals, especially dogs, and had many wonderful animal companions throughout her life. She volunteered for the Florida Wild Mammal Association to help injured and rescued animals. Melissa was passionate about music and enjoyed attending her husband's performances as he played harmonica with a local blues band. Melissa is survived by her loving mother, Hilda Hamilton Starbuck; her husband Dale Cook; step-daughters Carin Cook Brown (P.J.), and Sarah Cook; brother Keith Starbuck (Angie); niece Amber Starbuck; nephew Allen Starbuck (Terrah) and their five children; her father, Frank Starbuck; half-brother Gerry Starbuck; as well as numerous loving aunts and cousins. The family would like to express sincere thanks to Dr. Andrea Plagge and Dr. Celeste Hart for the kind and compassionate care that they provided to Melissa over the years. No service is planned at this time, but a Celebration of her beautiful Life will be held in the fall for her friends and family. For those who wish to make a contribution in her name, please consider a cause dear to her heart: Florida Wild Mammal Association 198 Edgar Poole Rd. Crawfordville, FL 32327 David Conn and Kimberly Crum of Bevis Funeral Home of Crawfordville assisted the family with arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com, 850-926-3333)

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Melissa Elaine Starbuck

July 22, 1957 - June 22, 2021