MILFORD - Melody Booker-Wilkins passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Melody was born in Baltimore, Md. on Jul. 23, 1964, the daughter of Phil Tipton and the late Carol Hunt Tipton. She graduated from Kenwood High School with the Class of 1982. Melody continued her education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County earning a B.A. in Political Science in 1986 and her Master of Public Administration in 1988 from the University of Delaware. Melody began her career in Sales/Marketing as an Account Executive with Prettyman Broadcasting and soon after was promoted to General Sales Manager. After the transition to Delmarva Broadcasting she served as the General Manager of the company until 2009 after 17 years in the business. Melody's extensive experience as a business developer, intergovernmental relations specialist, and her magnetic personality landed her a job with the Delaware Economic Development Office as their Business Development Leader which she held for five years before being hired for the role of Director of Economic Development with Sussex County Government in 2014 until present. She was a board member of Kent Sussex Industries, a JA Classroom Program Volunteer for Junior Achievement of Delaware, and a board member of Southern Delaware Tourism. Besides Melody's professionalism on the job, she was also a sweetheart to her family, friends, and colleagues. She had an infectious smile, witty sense of humor, and loved to dress for success. Her uncanny concern always for others even when faced with her own trials in life was one of her endearing attributes. She will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Melody is survived by her husband of 8 years, James M. Wilkins; her son, Drew Booker of Gaithersburg, Md.; her father, Phil Tipton of Spruce Pine, NC; her sister, Kristi Carpenter and her daughter, Morgan Carpenter of Hickory, NC; a step-daughter, Kristen Furry and her husband Adam of Milford; a step-son, Dustin Wilkins and his wife Tina of Milford; and four step-grandchildren, Khailer Hitchens, Madisyn Hitchens, Ashton Furry, and Gavin Furry. A celebration of Melody's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 26, 2016 at the Rookery North at Shawnee, 6152 S. Rehoboth Blvd, Milford, where friends may greet the family after 1:00 p.m. Friends are invited to stay following the service for food and fellowship with the family. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Melody's memory to Kent Sussex Industries, Inc., 301 N. Rehoboth Blvd, Milford, DE, 19963 or to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford. Condolences may be left for the family on line at www.rogersfhmilford.com Arrangements handled by Rogers Funeral Home, Milford.