Melody Elaine Cottingham, affectionally known as “Mel Mel” and “Pearl”, was born on
September 27, 1965, to proud parents Bessie Gibbs and Bucky Cottingham. Receiving her formal education in the San Diego Unified School District, Melody graduated from
Lincoln High School. Melody accepted Christ in her life at an early age.
Having such a nurturing spirit and always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need made Melody a natural as a caregiver in the healthcare field where she worked. A beautiful person inside and out, she was loving, dependable, responsible, and kind. But if she was crossed, she had no problem “speaking her mind”. That was “Mel Mel”.
Melody liked hanging out with family and friends, listening to music, dancing and singing, going to the casino with her husband, and having a great time being the life of the party!
On August 29, 2024, Melody Elaine Cottingham passed away peacefully in San Diego. She was surrounded by family as God called her home, and she is no longer in pain.
Melody was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents; Thelma and A.C. Gibbs, brother Marvin Cottingham, uncle Richard Gibbs, and nephew Marion Cottingham.
Melody is survived by husband Ronald King (Kidd), three sons; Marko Johnson, Chaz Johnson (ShaLiea Johnson) and William Cottingham, daughter Jasmen Fletcher, two brothers; Glenn Moore and Billy Curtis, three sisters; Marcella Cottingham, Marsi Cottingham, and Marissa Hamilton, four grandchildren; Anya, Malachi, Makaiyah, and Nalaijah, great niece Alyion, special cousins; Michelle Cottingham and Wille Allen, and many other relatives and friends who will all miss her dearly.
