Meliane Joann Montague, age 63, of Raleigh, North Carolina passed away peacefully at Transitions LifeCare on September 24, 2021.

Joann was strong and resilient. She overcame many challenges in life and lived as fully as she could. She would take in anyone in need, family and friends of family—she was a safe haven whenever she could be and did not hesitate to give or offer support. Many will cherish her for that.

In June 2021, Joann retired from Cigna Healthcare after 20 years of dedicated service as a healthcare analyst. For many years before that she worked as a mail carrier and then station manager at the US Postal Service. There she met some of her best and closest friends. She was proud to be a member of A-PLUS, a postal association organized to mentor and develop African-American and other postal managers towards a successful career path. She served on committees, attended service events, participated in regional and national conferences, and frequently traveled with the group.

She loved her grandchildren more than her children, and her great-grandchildren even more than that. She is survived by her two daughters, Kelly Fairley Batts and Kenya Michelle Fairley; her grandchildren, Shawn Fairley, Allen Alston, Michael Batts, and Matthew Batts (her SAMM); her great-grandchildren, Nala and Malachi; her niece, Jazmin Hodge and her son, Larry (her Elmo); and a host of beloved sisters, brother, nieces, and nephews.

Joann will be missed dearly by so many. We take comfort knowing she is in God's hands along with her mother and father, Mary Ailey and Raymond Hodge, Sr.; her most beloved sister, Vicki Hodge; and her brother Rene Hodge, all of whom preceded her in death.