Melissa S. Garland

Melissa Sabrina Garland, affectionately known as “Issa”, daughter of Bernadette Vaughan and the late Larry Garland Sr. lit up this world on September 25, 1977, and departed this life on April 24, 2023, after battling a lengthy illness.

Melissa was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, and received her education through the Baltimore City Public School System.  After earning her high school diploma from Patterson Senior High School, she followed in her mother’s footsteps, and successfully attained her CNA/GNA license.  Melissa started her healthcare career at Future Care-Sandtown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she worked for over 20 years, impacting many lives until her health began to fail.

As a teenager, Melissa met her childhood sweetheart, and the love of her life, Tyrone Boyd Sr. (Fish), and from this union, 5 beautiful children were born.  For many years, Melissa was known as a “boy-mom”, until she and Fish finally “broke the mold”. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, and aunt.  Her grandchildren adored her, and she never hesitated to be there for whatever they needed. 

Melissa was a beautiful person, inside and out, and was greatly loved by many. She had a larger-than-life personality, and a witty sense of humor, but her caring heart and humbleness is what made her extra special. She always knew how to liven up a bland situation with her comical theatrics. If she was not working doubles, you could always find her at home with her “scratch-offs” or playing 5000 at the table with Fish. Melissa was always a hard worker, but what she enjoyed most was spending quality time with her family and close friends.

Melissa was preceded in death by her son Tyrone Boyd Jr. (Guppy), Father-in-law James Boyd, Mother-in-law Vernell Toney, Father Larry Garland Sr., and Grandmother Veronica Robinson.

Melissa leaves to cherish her loving memories: her mother, Bernadette Vaughan; stepfather, Cornell Vaughan; four children: Tyrell, Ty’Ron, Ty’ion, and Malayah; one stepson, Tyrone (Pooie); Daughter in law, Samantha; three grandchildren, Nyomi, Tobias, and Legacy; five sisters, Leslie, Sherry, Stacy, Angela, Shelly; three brothers, Larry Jr., Michael (Megan), and Jason (Netsanet); and a host of family and friends.

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