AFTON FALEISA GRACE

JOHNSON — After an extremely well fought battle with illness, Afton Faleisa Grace died Saturday April 19, 2025. Afton was born April 15, 1983 in Burlington to loving parents William and Alesia Grace (Wheeler).

Afton was a true light of this world, and it showed everywhere she went. Her good nature and insatiably happy spirit touched all that she came into contact with. She had a smile that brought the world to life around her. She was an extremely hard worker with a fierce attitude when it came to getting any type of work done. A business owner, so obsessed with her level of “clean” Afton paid attention to every detail. Her many clients and friends often marveled at her ability to make a space so clean it felt inviting.

Afton prided herself in every facet of life she pursued. From business to fashion, with brutal honesty and compassion Afton was always 100% herself. Full of life and laughter, Afton loved to make jokes with her close friends and family. A particular lover of the “Short” jokes, she so playfully aimed at her husband on a regular basis. Although she herself only stood a very fierce 5’7.” Brave as a warrior, Afton stood squarely for everything she believed in and protected, never taking anything short of what her good actions both displayed and demanded. A powerful voice, when it came to the rights of her friends, children, and dogs, Afton was a protector with a truly mean right hand! (most likely muttered) by a few violators.

A truly wonderful and providing mother, Afton loved her daughters Shyann and Launna Brooke. Often she would gawk to others of their beauty and attitudes, yet privately worried about their welfare and protected their safety with the fierceness of a mother bear. Afton’s family was her world. And dogs! (don’t even get me started on dogs!) Afton loved dogs so much (you might start to wonder why you were never loved that much.) in particular, two very special dogs named Xena and Missy, the latter so named to honor one of Afton’s beloved lost friends Melissa, her most trusted confidant. In terms of “dogs” you could be sure to trip over a dog toy in Afton’s presence. In terms of friends, she loved them and kept them for life. She was always around her close ones and loved their company.

Afton encompassed all the things that make a strong, fierce, loyal, protective, loving woman. She processed the love of God, the favor of her friends, and the undying loyalty of her family. The hearts she touched will ache with her loss all the days of their lives, yet her spirit, grace and love will radiate an endure.

Afton leaves behind her two beautiful daughters, Shyann and Launna Dimick; her beloved significant other (husband), Terry L. Melton; both of her parents, William and Alesia Grace; her loving brother, Adam Grace; her grandmother, Lois Grace; godparents Charlie and Dale Fleming; and countless aunts uncles and cousins, friends and relatives. Afton is predeceased by her grandmother, Gert Balwin, her grandfather, Donald Grace Sr.

A visitation will be held to celebrate her life on Tuesday, April 29, from 5-7 p.m., at the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center in Milton, Vt.◊