Melba Ruth Hargrove

Melba R. Hargrove, 85, of Conroe died peacefully Thursday, May 12, 2011 in Austin, Texas from complications of Parkinson’s disease. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. Melba was born January 14, 1926, in Temple, Texas to Margaret Latham Morton and William W. Morton. In 1942 she married the love of her life, Joseph Hargrove, who preceded her in death in 2001. Melba leaves behind a daughter, Deborah Schaber, and her husband, Larry, of Austin; a sister, Nelda Stockman of Spring; a brother, Walter Morton and his wife, Wanda, of Spring; a grandson, Tim Schaber and his wife, Dr. Pamela Schaber of Cedar Park, Tx., and their son Jack; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Melba was also preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter, Amy Schaber and Melba’s brother, John Morton, and a brother-in-law, Johnnie Stockman. Joe was in the Air Force for over 30 years and Melba followed him on many adventures as they traveled across the U.S. and Europe on his assignments. They returned to Texas in the late ‘60s and settled in Houston. Melba worked in the wedding and stationary department of Foley’s for many years and later was an office manager for the Houston Credit Bureau until her retirement. They moved to the Conroe area and became active members of Sacred Heart Parish. Joe was in the Knights of Columbus and Melba was a member of Catholic Daughters for over 30 years. She served and chaired on many committees and was elected Catholic Daughter of the year in 1992. She was happiest when she was cooking or sewing for her family or her church, or organizing events for the Catholic Daughters. There will be a visitation at Metcalf Funeral Home in Conroe for Melba on Monday, May 16th from 5:00 to 8:00P.M. with a rosary led by Catholic Daughters at 7:00P.M. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Conroe on Tuesday, May 17th at 10:30A.M. Interment will be at the VA National Cemetery in Houston on Wednesday, May 18th at 10:00A.M. Pallbearers will be Wilbert Theriot, David Bonham, Joe Gutierrez, Leo Schultz, Ed Tooey, and Ben Petru. Contributions may be made to the following: Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, cardiology department; National Parkinson’s Foundation; or Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation. The family wishes to thank the staff of West Oaks Rehab and Health Care

Arrangements under the direction of Metcalf Funeral Directors, Conroe, TX.