Visitation will take place 10:00 am. to 11:00 am. Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Memorial Funeral Home, with funeral services at 11:00 am. and burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Melba was born in Auxvasse, Missouri on June 20, 1922 the daughter of Paris Sherwood Craghead, Sr. and Leota Belle (Holt) Craghead. On July 6, 1940, Melba was united in marriage to Otis Harrison in St. Charles, Missouri.
Melba attended William Woods University on a basketball scholarship. She was a licensed cosmetologist, even owning her own shop. She was a member of the National Hairdresser’s Association. She and Otis enjoyed golfing together and attending horse shows around the Midwest. She was a woman of many talents: cooking, sewing, sketching, painting, and baking. She enjoyed sports, especially Mizzou football and women’s and men’s basketball. She will be remembered as a woman of faith.
Melba is survived by one brother: Sherwood (Elaine) Craghead; four grandchildren: James Todd (Angie) Harrison; Gigi Suzanne Harrison; Megan Nicole Harrison; and Gabrielle Miller (Gaige) Larson; two great grandchildren: Cassandra Leigh (Anthony) Burks; and Bensynn Gry Larson; and two step great grandchildren: Samantha Anne Martin; and Spencer Kristian Schriver.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Otis Harrison; and one son: James Otis Harrison; two brothers: Marvin Craghead and William Craghead: two sisters: Patty McIntosh and Deanna Lewis.
Memorials may be made to Compassus Hospice of Columbia, Missouri in care of Memorial Funeral Home.
