Melanie Kay Kilgore Tuggle, a longtime resident of Charlotte, NC, died March 20, 2024 at age 49.

Melanie was born on August 26, 1974 in Oklahoma City, OK to Tony L. Kilgore and Betryce Hubertta ("Brett") Loyd Kilgore.

She is survived by her parents, her five children, Kaleb, Marlowe, Jude, Avram and Larke Tuggle, and by her sister, Michelle Kilgore. She is also dearly missed by her surviving aunts, Becky Dooley and Minnette Connelly, and many cousins. Preceding her in death were her grandparents, Millie Kilgore and Hubert and Ruby Loyd, and much-loved aunts and uncles, Bonnie Dickson, Jack Kilgore, Ruby Jewel and Gene Crawford and Benny and Lucille Loyd.

She grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Holland Hall in 1993, then attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia. In her early years she was an avid horse person and won many Hunter-Jumper competitions all the way up to the national level, especially with her favorite horse, Gordon Lightfoot.

Her whole life was, and revolved around, the great love and passion she had for her children. She spent countless hours researching the birth process, breastfeeding, and childhood development. All but one of her kids were home-birthed. She went on to become a leader of the La Leche League International, helping many new and experienced mothers with any issues they had, at any time of the day or night. She loved cooking, photography, and music, and spending time with her family outdoors.

Her wish would be that all her family and friends remember the good times, and she would want you to know that she loved all of you!

A memorial inurnment will take place at Rolling Oaks Cemetery in Tulsa on March 20, 2025 at 11 a.m., with her cousin Bruce Crawford officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow at Bodean restaurant at 12:30 p.m.