Melinda "Beth" Lapina
1965 — 2025

Melinda Beth Lapina, known as Beth, succumbed to pneumonia and left this earth too soon on Friday, March 14th. She was born in Memphis, TN. Her family moved around during her childhood, but she often shared fond memories of her early years in Rome, GA. Chattanooga, TN imprinted on her during her teen years and after a brief time with family in San Antonio, TX she returned to Chattanooga on her own as a young adult.

She was a woman of great strength, kindness, and resilience. She was known for opening her heart and home to friends, family & neighbors for celebrations, casual dinners and happy hours. Whether planned or impromptu, every small detail and service seemed effortless. Her witty come-backs and observations were layered with the perfect pairing of movie, cartoon or personally-shared one-liners. The beach was her happy place, but the high desert, mountains, rivers and trails held space in her heart.

Beth was preceded in death by her son James Peter Lapina (Little Jim), her father James "Terry" Nickerson, paternal grandparents Charles Dudley and Martha Dean Fish Nickerson, and maternal grandparents Dubert J. (DJ) and Nova Christopher Pyron.

She leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory, including husband of 26 years, Pete Lapina; her mother, Betty Nickerson; her brother, Blaine Nickerson; her sister, Deana O'Brien (Cory); A host of cousins and in-laws who were like bonus siblings scattered from Indiana to south Florida and California to North Carolina; and her favorite aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews who fully appreciated her for all she was. Her quiet-caring, commitment, and compassion with a side of stubbornness were shared with one of her favorite aunts — Aunt Pat — and were natural qualities of their birth-sign, Taurus the Bull (If you know, you know).

One aunt shared, "I remember the day she was born. She was the first baby girl born among the Nickerson brothers … A rare and special species. How excited we were for having a girl in the family! … They called her 'Magnolia'."

She will be truly missed by her circle of friends, life-long and new (You know who you are), and her love and care for others will not be forgotten.

A receiving of family and friends and tribute will be held on Monday, March 24th at St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tennessee  (Visitation 11-1 pm; Service 1 pm).

The family extends a special thank you to her medical team at CHI Memorial Hixson for the care they provided over the years and most recently, to the 6th floor nursing staff and Father Mike Creson at CHI Memorial Hospital downtown for their comfort and care during her last days.