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Melba Britton

Jul 5th, 1937 - Jul 11th, 2024

Funeral Ceremony: 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home

Interment: Clay City Cemetery

Visitation: 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home

 

      Melba Janice Britton, age 87, of Clay City, Illinois, took her last breath, concluding a prayer surrounded by her family on Thursday morning, July 11, 2024, at her home.

      She was born on July 5, 1937, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Aaron and Mae Christy (Reeves) Powers.  She married Darrel Leon Britton on May 25, 1955, at Hoosier Prairie Church, and their 69 years of love and matrimony did not seem to be long enough.

      Darrel and Melba raised their four children Faron, Janet, Alan, and Sandy in Clay City.  She was active in the Rebekah's, gardening club, bible study, and CEFS.  She had worked for many doctors over the years.  She enjoyed time spent camping, quilting, and going for motorcycle rides with Faron and Al.  She had also enjoyed square dancing and snow mobile riding in her younger years.

      Melba answered to many names over the years, “mother,” “Mammaw,” “Mabel,” “Elba,” “Miss America,” “Matriarch,” and “Ma.”  She was referred to as “Mamaw” by many who were not blood relatives.

      Melba loved to play cards and was regularly accused of cheating, which she adamantly denied with her silly grin and claim to being the Matriarch.  She ran the kitchen on most Sundays to feed her large family.  She was thrilled to see her family arrive during the summer to help harvest the garden produce.  With 12 grandkids, 20 great-grandkids, 1 great-great-grandkid, and a grand-pig, her house was rarely empty but full of life and love.  She loved to garden and had won yard of the month on more than one occasion.

      She enjoyed church at Community Southern Baptist Church and was quick to encourage everyone to be there with her.  She loved God even more than she loved her family.  Her smile and hugs gave love and grace to so many even if they didn’t know her.  To know her was to love her.  She will be remembered, missed, and loved by many in our community.

      Melba leaves behind her husband Darrel Britton of Clay City; 3 children: Faron (Vonda) Britton of Newton, Alan (Renee) Britton of Orlando, Florida, and Sandy (Al) Meyer of Kell; 12 grandkids: Christy, Shannon, Dawn, Stephanie, Kristopher, Gage, Ashton, Tabatha, A.J., Tamara, Reyce, and Remington; 20 great-grandkids; 1 great-great-grandchild; an aunt: Hazel Reeves of Oklahoma; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

      She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter: Janet Hall; siblings: Marlene, Barton, and Kem; and 4 grandbabies.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Clay City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to Clay City Christmas Joy, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com  

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Condolences

Mary Reynolds

July 12th

My condolences to the family 🕊️❤️🕊️

Mona and Rick Barber

July 12th

Heaven just got a beautiful angel!Love and Prayers for Uncle Darrell, Faron, Allen and Sandy.

Larry & Deanna Allison

July 12th

Thoughts and Prayers for you all. Melba sure was one of a kind. Great lady & such a hard worker .She will live forever in your hearts .

Rhesa Eckelberry

July 12th

Sorry for your loss

Jim and Reynolds

July 12th

Prayers for the family. They were great neighbors!

Valerie & Randy Vincent

July 12th

I will always remember your sweet, kind soul and the times growing up that you & Uncle Darrel took me camping. Especially the time while mushroom hunting near the campsite you handed him the mushroom bag with a snake in it and that bag was tossed like it was dynamite. Love you always!

Pat Burt

July 12th

Melba was one wonderful and caring lady! Christians never say goodbye! Prayers for your family.

Mona(Foreman)Tokos

July 12th

Condolences to the family

aunt hazle & mary reeves

July 12th

she will be miss

Danny and Barb Hartleroad

July 13th

We are so sorry for your loss

Judy Lusk

July 13th

Darrell, I am so sorry for your loss. Melba was a very nice lady. My condolences to you and all of your family. Prayers for peace and comfort during this very difficult time.

Rick and Carolyn Perry

July 13th

We are so sorry for your loss. She was so special and sweet.

Norman and Shirley Fry Workman

July 13th

So sorry for your loss. She was a GREAT person and will most definitely be missed by her family and friends ❤ May you all find peace and comfort in God. Hugs and prayers.

Jenny Osborn

July 14th

I am so sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed knowing Melba through the Garden Club. We always had a good time. Such sweet lady.

Kim Welty

July 14th

Dawn and Family's, My heartfelt condolences for All!!! I know how much you Loved your Grandma as she did you. Sending Love ❤️ and Prayers for the difficult day's ahead🙏 Love you Always 💞 Kim

Carl and Dana Zimmerman

July 14th

We reluctantly surrender our beloved Melba over to her lord and savior. Although we are heartbroken at our loss, she is in the arms of the Father who has taken away her pain and suffering. Melba and Darrel have shown us all what the power of love can overcome and have shared the strength of their bond with all who know and love them. We will always love you and remember the time we were blessed to share with you. Thank you for loving us and sharing your strength and knowledge to make us better for knowing you.

Debra Padgett Hoffner

July 16th

Melba was my mother-in-law several years ago. She was the most wonderful woman I have ever known. She will be missed by many,

Walterene Pearce

July 20th

So very sorry.. God bless.

Dedra DeHart

July 20th

Oh, I bet there's a grand reunion. I know she's sitting there grabbing with Mom, Granny, Aunt Genelle, Nicey, Monica, Aunt Vivian, Aunt Edna, Aunt Sissy, Barb, Norma, Jimmy Lee, Roger Dale, and sitting right next to her her momma Mae and daughter Janet. Be careful playing cards with Granny, she likes to cheat, too....

Shane Keith Dulaney

July 29th

Melba was a friend of my grandmother, Betty Dulaney, for many years. I will never forget my grandmother, Melba, and Heidi Wilson, walking 3 to 4 miles through Clay City together. These regular walks wore out my grandmother. Me and my family will miss Melba.

 

Candles

Mike&Kathy Wildbur
Mona and Rick Barber
Brenda Rinehart Bullard
Alice Britton
Mary Reynolds
Charlotte Dulaney
Rick and Trudy Stanford
Butch and Debbie Tibbs
Rhesa Eckelberry
Esther Walker
Jim and Joanne Tomasek
John & Deana Devore
Kevin and Jana Henry
Micheal W & Kristal G Engelmeier
Pam O’Dell Young
Debra Padgett Hoffner
Chad & Elizabeth Bayles
Larry & Deanna Allison
Dale and Cindy Henson
Larry and Donna Phillips
Dianna Jacobs
Scott & Tina Britton Family
Steven Staley
Valerie & Randy Vincent
Margie Bogle
parvin and Carolyn murbarger
aunt hazle & mary reeves
Kim Welty
Dana Hosselton
Jeremy & Kelli Wildbur
Tracy Groves
John & Julie Dehart
Eric and Lisa Stanley
Judy Ashley
Sharon David
Bill and Brenda Britton
Ken and Terri Lence
Gary & Debbie Perry
Judy Lusk
Cody & Kristen Lynn
Robert & Janice Weidner
Wayne Eastin & Diane Johnson
Phil Henson
Donald Fry / Sheery Evilsizer
Tammy SchwaningerBoose
Ray and Jackie Evans
Loretta Bandy
Ted & Jackie Richardson
Rick and Carolyn Perry
Marlene Tibbs Smith
Carl & Dana Zimmerman
Lowell & Brenda K Showalters
Bruce&Nannette Richards
Diana (Gill) & Greg Rutland
Galen Gill
Leona McDowell
Shaunell McGee
Dennis & Paula Frutiger
Rita Weidner
John and Norma Gordon
Mark &Karen Jones
Calvin and Anita Lake
Carla(Dulaney)Don Evans
Norman and Shirley Fry Workman
Nancy Weidner
Marty & Nancy Thompson
Jane Janes
Annie (Wilson) Hays
Heidi Wilson
Connie & Mike Spitzner
Richard & Marina Bookhout
Cecelia Cardascio
Shirley Cardascio
Kathy'Gertie'Griffith
Walterene
Jodi Schnepper
Paul and Anita Fatheree

 

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Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services

500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839

Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]

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