Melanie Gaye Seward

Melanie Gaye Seward (Shivers) of Fort Dodge, Iowa, 57, died June 14th, 2020 in her home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 24th at 11:00 AM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Melanie Gaye Shivers was born on January 7th, 1963 in Uriah, Alabama to the late Rev. James and Tommie Mae Shivers. She attended Fort Dodge Senior High and later obtained her GED. During her lifetime, she had four daughters with Jackie Knight and two daughters with plus three bonus daughters with Gregory Seward in holy matrimony. She worked as a Restorative Aide at Expo Health Care Center. She was a member at Second Baptist Church; during her time there, she sang in the choir, she was the Sergeant of youth drill team, and participated in a number of annual plays. She always enjoyed spending time with her daughters and was always elated when all nine girls, "The Divine Nine", were able to get together for a special occasion. Along with spending time with her daughters, she thoroughly enjoyed taking care of her 28 grandchildren as a "Traveling Grandma". She had a larger-than-life personality that was matched by her love for fashion, soap operas, and candy/sweets, hence her nick-name "Too Sweet". Among the many things her loved ones will miss most about her are her cooking (especially her sweet potato pies, spaghetti and dressing), and ability to make others smile and laugh. Survivors include her nine daughters: Chyla Shivers, Ashley Shivers, Cierra Shivers, Avante Woolery (William), Belecia Phillips (Dustyn), Rachel Seward, Danessa Seward, Corenne Hicks (Hayworth), and Janelle Seward; her siblings: Wynetta Brown, Joelaine Al-Hameed (Hammad), Dixie Smith (Vern), Florence Shivers, Bill Shivers (Barbara), Michael Shivers, Mark Shivers, Dartonya Shivers (Rhonda), Ira Shivers (Jenny), Sheldon Shivers and Katario Roby; 28 grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother Tommie Mae Shivers; father Rev. James Shivers; Grandparents: M.P and Charlie Mae Brown, R.C and Ethel Shivers, Tom Culpepper; and sibling Floyd Shivers. Visitation Tue, Jun 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Wed, Jun 24, 2020 at 11:00 am Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501