Malissa had three children who were not fathered by her husband, Alfred. Two children, Jeremiah and Susannah were fathered by Jeremiah South. Chester was father by Miles Back, brother of her husband, Alfred. This information was provided by a gg-granddaugter of Alfred and Malissa. Malissa and her sons, Floyd and Jeremiah, are listed in the 1880 Breathitt Co. KY Census living in the household of her nephew, Thomas Strong. Her two daughters, Lou Ellen and Sarah, are listed in the 1880 Breathitt Co. KY Census living with their grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Cope) Back. Malissa and her son, Charley, are listed on the 1900 Breathitt Co. KY Census living with her married son, Floyd.

Alfred was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted 1 Jan 1861 for 12 months. He served in the 5th KY Infantry, CSA, Co. A and B. He was reported as a deserter on 1 May 1862, but he was sick at a private house from Dec. 1862 until April 30, 1863. He was only 16 years old when he enlisted. During the war Alfred was shot in the back by Bob Frazier while he was drinking water from a creek. He was unable to work after this and was a teacher to supplement his income. Bob Frazier, one of Captain Billy Strong's gang of killers, was originally a Confederate soldier and a friend of Alfred, serving with him in the same regiment. He joined the Union army later because they were giving $50.00 bonuses for enlistments. There was a price on his head, so he was out to get his old friends when he shot Alfred. Alfred was found, severely wounded but still alive, and brought home. There was a hole in his head from the bullet. They put a silver dollar in his skull to cover the hole, and sewed his scalp over it. It never really healed and grew worse over the years. His neck and spine were distorted. He was in constant pain, and his wife, Malissa changed the dressing every day for years. When Alfred finally died, Malissa nearly lost her mind and was sick for a long time.

During the war Alfred was shot from behind by Bob Frazier, a Union soldier who had originally served with Alfred, but had switched sides and joined the Union to get a $50.00 bonus. There was supposedly a price on Alfred's head and Frazier shot him while he was kneeling to drink water from a creek. Alfred was found and brought home. There was a hole in his head from the bullet. They put a silver dollar in his skull to cover the hole and sewed his scalp over it. It never really healed and grew worse over the years. His neck and spine were distorted and he was in great pain. Melissa changed the dressing every day for years. When Alfred finally died, Malissa nearly lost her mind and was sick for a long time. Alfred was unable to work at physical labor after this incident, and was a teacher to supplement his income. He and and his family lived at Georges Branch