Melissa Arden was born
in Savannah and grew up in Garden City, GA. She married Tommy Arden in June of 1971 and moved to Springfield,
GA and began attending the Springfield United Methodist Church. They started their family in 1972 when
their daughter Angela was born, two years later their daughter Elaina made the family complete, they thought.
Five years later they were surprised with another beautiful baby girl, Leslie. Melissa grew
up as an only child and always wanted to have a big family, now she does. In addition to her three amazing
daughters God has blessed her with five grandsons and four granddaughters.
Melissa worked for 15 years as an Administrative Assistant in Personnel and then Assistant to the Mill Manager at
Fort Howard/Georgia Pacific before deciding to retire in 2004. After volunteering at Effingham County Hospital
for 4 years in the Cardiac Rehab department, she decided to go back into the work force. The job of Administrative
Assistant came open at Springfield United Methodist and she applied for the position. It has been an amazing
experience, one that has brought her closer to God and to the people of her church.
