Melba was born at her grandparents home on a hot summer day in Oakville, Texas on August 26, 1932. She was the daughter of Paul Harrod and Rena Crisp Harrod. She married Johnny Eugene Smith on August 20, 1950 in Oakville, Texas. They were married for 64 years until her loving husband Johnny passed away in 2014. Also preceding her in death are her brother Cecil Harrod.
Survivors include her five sons and their spouses: Ronald Keith and Alice Carstens Smith of Conroe, Texas, Monte Dwayne and Jeri Pursiful of Conroe, Texas, Clay Lynn and Melody Hawkins Smith of Sacramento, California, Delvin Scott and Debbie Butler Smith of Willis, Texas and Michael Eugene and Janet McNeal Smith of Conroe, Texas. She is also survived by her brother Haven Harrod and sister in-law Myra Harrod along with many nieces and nephews, 24 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren and numerous beloved friends and family relatives.
During the early years of Melba’s marriage with Johnny they resided in the south Texas area near the town of Three Rivers and later at a place near Nixon, Texas where husband Johnny worked their farm growing cotton, peanuts and various crops as they started having children and raising a family together. Her parents and grandparents were thrilled to see the new grandkids being created in the family. After experiencing severe drought conditions persistent in the south Texas area during the latter half of the 50s which lead to low crop yields and several failed crops Melba and Johnny gave up on the farming life and moved to Willis from their Nixon home in 1961. After her sons grew older and started gaining their independence Melba began her horticulture career nurturing plants at Walton Greenhouses where she was talented growing multiple varieties of beautiful flowers, poinsettias, mums and begonias. Melba became a member of the Church of God (Seventh Day) in Groceville, Texas soon after moving to the area and remained a devoted member attending services faithfully and participating in the Ladies Club functions until her health began to fail. She was committed to her faith, family and church. Melba and Johnny shared ownership of J & M Garden Center in Willis, Texas many years until they closed the business and retired. Melba and Johnny were also members of the Conroe Country Cousins Square Dance Club and the Huntsville Promenadors where they loved the good times socializing with their friends and square dancing.
Visitation for Melba will be held Monday, October 30, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cashner Funeral Home, in Conroe, Texas. Funeral Service will occur Tuesday, October 31, 2023 beginning at 2:00 PM at Cashner Funeral Home. A graveside interment will follow the service in Garden Park Cemetery.
