Kathleen "Kathy" Elizabeth Mellinger

Kathleen "Kathy" Elizabeth Mellinger, 26, of Fayetteville died Wednesday, May 18, 2011. The driver who entered Interstate 540 going the wrong way early Sunday morning took the life of our darling daughter and her friend in the dark of night. Kathy brought joy to our lives from the moment she was born in Little Rock on March 31, 1985. She was a 2003 graduate of Chattahoochee High School in Duluth, Georgia, and completed her Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts at the University of Arkansas in 2008. She was a member of the Drama Club at the University and was a recipient of the MAC Award for the Outstanding Student of 2008. Survivors include her father, David M. Mellinger and his wife Carol of Mabelvale; her mother, Margaret Dearing and her husband Bill of Little Rock; her fiance', Chuck Mere' of Fayetteville; a sister, Amy Hayes and husband Robert of Sherwood; brothers, Will Dearing of Little Rock, Cole Dearing and wife CaryAn of Chandler, Arizona, and Michael Dearing and wife Cheryl of Conway; two nieces; a nephew; and a host of other relatives and friends. Roberto Mere' and Virginia Ramirez lovingly welcomed her into their lives as a future daughter-in-law, and that love was returned. Kathy danced in our lives from the age of three, and continued that passion for many years. She fell in love with drama and the theater at an early age. Her uncle, Jim Morgan, included Kathy in numerous plays and stage management as she grew up and placed her feet on the path of the theater. Kathy pursued drama further through her degree at the University of Arkansas. Kathy took great pleasure after graduating from the U of A in her deep friendships and work at the Psychology and Counseling Associates, P.A., in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2011, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501) 224-8300, with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, May 23, 2011 at Christ The King Catholic Church with Monsignor Francis I. Malone celebrant. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Kathy's name to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). http://www.madd.org/ Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.