Melba Jeanette Smith

Departed: September 6th, 2013

Melba was the fifth child born to Lillie and John McReynolds on a farm in Arkansas. When Melba was just four years old father John sold the farm in Arkansas and purchased another in Oklahoma. Well, if you think moving today is difficult, the McReynolds family made their move via COVERED WAGON ! Melba's duty on this arduous journey was to help care for her baby sister, Sue, which marked the beginning of their lifelong bond and friendship. Melba grew up on this farm near Council Hill working in the fields and milking cows. She really hated picking cotton, O Lordy! Fortunately, mother Lillie was a school teacher and insisted her children get an education. Melba was a good student and won awards for her penmanship. But what she really excelled at was basketball, playing on the varsity team for the local high school starting in the 8th grade through her graduation in 1941. How she made the team while still in grade school is a secret that will just have to remain a secret.

After graduation from high school Melba came to California to live with her older sister, Mary Ellen, and her husband, D.O. Paden. They lived on the Janss Ranch in Thousand Oaks where D.O. worked as a horse trainer. During World War II she met a soldier, Jim (Mac) McKay, they were married in 1943. The following year the couple was blessed with a son, James. Two and a half years later a second child, Sue, joined the family. In 1950 her third child, Mary Ann, came into the world. Sadly, this union did not remain a happy one and ended in divorce.

Melba was later remarried to a man named Wayne Smith. In 1958 Melba gave birth to her fourth child, a son, David. In 1960 her last child, another daughter, Carol, was born. After a few years this marriage too had ended.

During the years since Melba's arrival in California her older brother Buck, his wife Bonnie, with their children, and her younger sister Sue, had also come to Thousand Oaks. After a time her parents John and Lillie also made the move from Oklahoma to Thousand Oaks. Only her brothers, Shorty and J.D. chose not to make the move. Brother Shorty an Army officer was stationed many places during his career, while brother J.D. remained in Oklahoma to farm. At different times her sisters, Mary Ellen and Sue, migrated north from Thousand Oaks to the San Jose area. Having her parents and oldest brother nearby and her sisters not too far away made for many family gatherings.

Family was the most important thing in Melba's life. She was always there for her family and they were always there for her. She put her children's needs before her own, making sure their needs were met before thinking of herself. When her parents became hospitalized, brother Buck and Melba would take turns going to visit them almost daily, she would often bring her children as well. When her children needed a babysitter for their children she was available, just as her parents had helped watch her children. She instilled this most important value of family in her children, along with many others.

In 1954 Melba had taken a job as a Psychiatric Technician at Camarillo State Hospital where she worked for over thirty years. Her longevity at the hospital really paid dividends late in her career when a Hollywood producer came looking for someone who had worked in a mental hospital back in the 50's. He needed a Technical Adviser that would ensure everything was authentic for the movie he would soon be making. The movie was "Francis" starring Jessica Lange. Melba was in Seventh Heaven getting to work on a big Hollywood movie with a big Hollywood star. She attended the Hollywood Premier, walked the Red Carpet, and sat with the cast and crew during the screening. There must have been thousands of young women that came to California in the 40's hoping to get into the movies with a very few actually realizing their dream. It's unknown whether Melba had that dream, but unlike so many others she did make it into the movies as she plays the part of a doctor in one scene near the end of the movie.

Melba's retirement years weren't always relaxing. Soon after her retirement she had to sell the home in which she had raised her five children and bought a house across town. It was a sad time knowing the old homestead was being torn down, but a happy time because the new house she purchased was much larger with plenty of room for family gatherings. She worked to make the new house a home where family and friends were always welcome. Melba remained in her new home until the end of her days.

Melba was preceded in death by all of her older siblings and most sadly by her eldest son Jim McKay.

She is survived by her children: Sue McKay, Mary Ann Carrizzo, David Smith, Carol Fischer, daughter-in-law, Dixie McKay & son-in-law, Michael Fischer.

Her grandchildren: Michael Carrizzo, Jerri Lee Owen, Cindy Coffey, Jason McKay, David Smith, Brandy Mooney, Holly Pappas, Brittany Fischer, & Breanna Fischer.

Her great grandchildren: Gunnar Smith, Destiny Smith, David Smith, Trevor Carrizzo, Claire Carrizzo, & Connor Mooney.

Melba is also survived by her younger sister Sue Hamm.

She will be missed by one and all