Melissa Jane Strang Earliwine

Melissa Jane Strang Earliwine, age 68 of Asheboro, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on Monday, August 22, 2022.

Melissa was born on December 8, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to James Harold and Jeanne Nuss Strang. Melissa was a graduate of Chatham Women’s College in Pittsburgh where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Education. She taught in a drug/alcohol recovery program in Guilford County, and most recently taught and retired as a math teacher at Randolph Community College. When she wasn’t teaching, she loved to garden flowers and take care of her numerous fur babies. Melissa was a huge Pittsburgh Steeler fan and loved celebrating different holidays with Christmas always being her favorite. She loved to putter around and keep busy with different projects around the house. Most of all, Melissa adored and cherished her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Melissa is preceded in death by her sister, Varyl Jeanne Rager and her brother-in-law, Lawrence Rager.

Melissa is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Gary Earliwine; children, Jason (Cleveland Rayford) Earliwine of High Point, Scott (Jennifer) Earliwine of West Mifflin, PA, Bryan Earliwine of Asheboro, and Lesley Earliwine of Asheboro; grandchildren, Shelby, Lane, Wyatt; and her brother, James Lynn (Paulette) Strang of Cape Cod, MA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, NC 27203.

The family request memorials to be made in Melissa’s honor to the Randolph County SPCA, 300 W. Bailey St., Asheboro, NC 27203. If you would like to order flowers, the family request to order potted plants that can be planted in Melissa’s memory in her flower garden.