Barbara Melton Gay, 81, of Williamsburg, Va., passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family at Riverside Doctors’ Hospital. She is the daughter of the late Harvey Linwood and Barbara Koris Melton, formerly of Richmond, Va.
Most recently, Ms. Gay was employed by Colonial Williamsburg, where she served in various retail roles at Brick & Vine, the Williamsburg Inn, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. She had a deep love for Williamsburg—its rich history, vibrant community, and natural beauty. An avid exerciser who enjoyed long walks, she spent much of her time in the downtown area, taking in the atmosphere and chatting with tourists and locals alike.
Earlier in her professional career, she sold real estate with Sotheby’s in Williamsburg, following a successful tenure selling pension plans for Cigna Insurance Inc. and holding positions within the banking industry.
Ms. Gay also possessed a natural talent for home design, often transforming “fixer-uppers” into warm, inviting spaces. Whether tearing down walls, painting interiors, or picking out the perfect accent piece, she excelled at it.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Melton, formerly of Missouri, and her brother, Harvey L. Melton, Jr., formerly of Mebane, North Carolina.
She is survived by her husband, Timothy P. McComas, of Williamsburg, Va.; her daughters, Cathy C. (Chuck) Comer, of Chester, Va.; Kimberly S. Coghill, of Alexandria, Va.; stepsons, Tobin P. (Alyssa) McComas and Ryan T. (Emily) McComas, both of Chicago, Il.; grandchildren, Heather N. (Alex) Comer, of Mechanicsville, Va., Catherine C. (Ian) Ogden, of Chester, Va., Parker McComas, Gerrit McComas, Tallulah McComas, and Graham McComas, all of Chicago, Il.; four angelic great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, in the Wren Chapel, Wren Building, on the campus of the College of William & Mary, at 111 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Va., 23185.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
