Melba Clarinda (Conway) Custock

Melba Clarinda Conway was born on February 11, 1917 in Dunsmuir, California to John Tracy Conway and Anna Christina Conway.

Melba graduated from high school in Dunsmuir and then moved to Vallejo, California so she could attend Glad Tidings Bible College in San Francisco, California. At Glad Tidings, she met Thomas J. Custock and they were married after graduation in May 1938.

With a desire to pastor and with their new pastoral credentials, they traveled to Montana and several cities in between ending up back in Vallejo to start a church in Shabo Terrace. At that church, God performed many miracles. Through their years, they also ministered in Alameda and Lodi. In 1960 they moved to Rancho Cordova and started Cordova Assembly of God Church in their home. The church later became what is now New Life Center. During the early years of ministry, Melba also worked at JM McDonald’s Department Store to supplement their income.

Melba passed away on Monday, December 12, 2016, just two months short of her 100th birthday.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Thomas J. Custock Sr., her brother Ervin Conway and her two sisters, Helen Mount and LaVerne Nylander.

Melba is survived by her brother Charles Conway, sisters Geraldine Hilton, and Elenore Grubbs, her son Thomas Custock Jr., daughter Donna Erie, son-in-law David Erie, Granddaughter Andrea and four Great Grandchildren, Bailey, Kiley, Alexandrea and Josiah.