G.O.A.T is an acronym for GREATEST OF ALL TIME.

 

Melanie Parks put this note in the mailboxes before Christmas!  Most everyone knows her because she is so outgoing and friendly … stops and talks, prays with people, checks on them when they have been sick or out of town and knows so many by name … including the pets. She knows all the kids … puts treats in our mailboxes on their birthdays and back to school.  Really, who does that? Someone really special.   

 

 
Melanie, our postal worker for Kingsgate, would always take the time to check in and oftentimes let the kids walk with her on her route. 

– Callie Gay 

 

Melanie always had positive interactions to share and cared for the residents on her route. If we had mail not picked up from the mailbox for more than a day, she would text to see if we were alright or out of town and had forgotten to put out the yellow “hold mail” card. 
Melanie genuinely cared about her residents. If someone was sick or had lost a loved one, she wanted an update on how to help. She is genuinely an angel. Melanie is one of a kind! 

 

Melanie, the Wonderful Mail Lady, really cared about the people on her route and would always try to let us know when someone was sick, as well as bring mail to the door for folks who needed the help.  She was friendly and so kind and personable. She will be missed! 

 

Talking to her for the first time was as comfortable as our conversations in the months leading up to her retirement. A busy lady with no doubt a tight schedule, she would never hesitate to exit her carrier vehicle for a greeting and visit. Melanie never forgets a face and a name, and she's equally eager to talk about her faith as well as anything that might be going on at the time. It was easy to see her love for others, but I hadn't realized her capacity to be 'the eyes and ears' of our neighborhood until July 2021. My next-door neighbor Dan Alford had passed away, and the following day I made it a point to catch Melanie as she came up our street to share this news. Not only did she know, she had been in communication with his family when he had first become ill, and she was keenly aware of Dan's situation and was keeping a close eye on him. Then, the day of Dan's funeral, July 18, I sat in the back, searching the crowd, wondering if Melanie would be in attendance. After several minutes of the service, the funeral director invited a family friend up to share words about Dan, and, sure enough, it was Melanie! Her words were beautiful, personal and no doubt comforting to those closest to Dan. She finished with words Dan spoke to her every time a conversation between them ended: "You be good now!" She explained these words meant God was in control, and we are to carry on in our lives with love toward others. Just as Melanie has exercised this during her service to hundreds, likely thousands, on her carrier routes over the years, I'm positive she's continuing this in her new adventures in retirement.  So to you, Melanie, as you navigate your new experiences, remember: "You be good now!" 

 

Indeed, Melanie Parks was the best mail carrier we’ve ever had – not only during our 37 years living in Kingsgate but anywhere else, ever.  Melanie had a real interest and concern about the residents on her route.  She was very friendly and cheerful and always had a positive attitude.  She enjoyed any chance she had to stop and visit and never made you think she was in a rush to get on with her route.  Melanie expressed interest in us and our family, always asking what was going on in our lives.  As a strong Christian woman, it was easy for Melanie to share her faith.  On occasions when we had our mail “on hold” because we were out of town for days or even weeks at a time, when the service ended, Melanie always got out of her truck and personally delivered the mail to our door.  We especially appreciated that extra effort instead of cramming the accumulated mail in the box, which was then difficult to remove.  Melanie was definitely an exceptional mail carrier.  Although we miss her sweet smile and friendly waves around our neighborhood, we wish her many blessings and happy years in her retirement.
– Joe and Cathy Harkins