Melba Delores (Dutherage) Rose, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away after a long battle with dementia on May 22, 2025, at Village Green Alzheimer’s Care Home in Conroe, Texas. She was 90 years old.
Melba was born in a farmhouse near Donaldson, Arkansas, on April 16, 1935, to Augustus (Gus) and Mildred (Posey) Dutherage. She graduated from Ouachita High School then moved to Little Rock, where she met and married Charles Davenport. They had four daughters and moved to Texarkana, Texas, in 1968. They then moved to Conroe in 1970. Following her divorce, she met and married Bruce Rose in 1981, and they lived in Montgomery and Willis, Texas.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, brother Samuel Dutherage, sister Evelyn Williams, second husband Bruce Rose and sons-in-law James Everett and Bruce Merryman. She is survived by brother Donald Dutherage and wife Mei, daughters Shirley Everett, Judy Runnels, Lisa Davenport Merryman, and Lorna Gardner and husband Troy, grandchildren Tonya (Jason) Hudson, Ryan Everett, Eric (Blair Wall) Runnels, Corey Davenport, Brooke (Austin) Young and Jenny Skorusa along with 8 great-grandchildren, and several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren, her niece Beverly (Bill) Appel, and many other nieces and nephews.
During her time living in the Conroe area, Melba was a member of Northside Baptist Church for over 50 years. She also worked many years at what was known as Conroe Telephone Company, now Consolidated Communications. Among many other acquaintances she made there, she became lifelong friends with Vera Acrey and Corlene Edwards. Her times spent with them and several other friends were some of her happiest.
Melba re-discovered a love for travel and she carried on with those adventures, taking several exciting cruises and other trips with friends and family. She also volunteered for Odyssey Hospice in Conroe. Of course, time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was always a priority and a joy.
As her memories started to fade, Melba was comforted greatly by the loving care and friendship of Karen Farley and the time she spent helping Melba to walk down memory lane. The family is extremely grateful for Karen and also for the conscientious care given by the entire staff at Village Green.
A visitation for Melba will be held Friday, June 6, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road, Conroe, TX 77303. A funeral service will occur Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in Cashner Colonial Hall with burial to follow in Garden Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ryan Everett, Eric Runnels, Corey Davenport, Clay Hudson, Cole Hudson and Pierce Everett. Honorary pallbearers will be Troy Gardner, Jason Hudson, Austin Young and Joe S. Runnels.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to alzheimers.org for dementia research.
