Mignon Backstrom

Melissa Mignon Clark Backstrom, 65, of Owensboro, passed away on July 25, 2024, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. She was born to the late Carl Wilson Clark and Martha Goodson Clark on November 5, 1958, in Grenada, Mississippi.

Mignon graduated from the University of Mississippi and then moved to Memphis, TN, where she met Charles "Buzz" Backstrom, the love of her life. Buzz's career brought them to Owensboro in 1986, where they settled and started a family. Mignon’s professional career included stints in fashion merchandising, advertising, and the financial services industry. She worked the last 14 years as a Registered Financial Associate with Ashley-Worth, LLC and was deeply involved in her community, serving as past president of the Junior League of Owensboro, a member of Impact 100, and a board member of Settle Memorial Preschool.

With a passion for plants and cooking for special occasions, Mignon lived a life of hospitality and loved hosting events for her family and friends, whether it was Thanksgivings in Texas or movie nights and Holiday gatherings at home. She was also a talented seamstress, a skill inherited from her mother. 

Family meant everything to Mignon. As a devoted mother and grandmother, she took extraordinary pride in being deeply involved in every aspect of her children's and grandchildren’s lives, from dance and piano to sports and Girl Scouts. Her dedication went beyond practices and lessons; she cultivated a warm and inviting home that became a gathering place for Kari and Brown's friends. 

Mignon was a person of faith and positivity, offering her strength and inspiration to others. Her legacy of love and compassion will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to know her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Carl Wilson Clark Jr.; her niece, who was like a sister, Gaye Garrett Montgomery; her nephew, who was like a brother, Jim Eli Garrett III; niece Word Guild Taylor Backstrom and great-niece Dallie Davis.

Those left to cherish Mignon's memory include her loving husband of almost 38 years, Charles Brown Backstrom Sr (Buzz); children, Kari Clark Backstrom Clary and her husband Logan of Owensboro and Charles Brown Backstrom Jr and his wife Madeliene of Waco TX; grandchildren, Lillian Parker Clary, Jayde Taylor Clary, Stella Jean Clary, Jameson Ray Clary, Bellamy Brown Backstrom, and Jeb Tyler Backstrom; a sister , Dallygene Bailey Reeves (Mother); and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mignon Backstrom will be at 11:00 am Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Friday, August 2, 2024, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 10:00 am Saturday at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. Burial will follow the service at Owensboro Memorial Gardens. 

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Wendell Foster Center, 815 Triplett St, Owensboro, KY 42303