Melba Hicks Blocker, age 90, passed away at her residence in Bay Springs on September 5, 2021 of heart failure. She was born Melba Loreta Hicks on March 24, 1931 to Sam and Willie Anna Hicks near the town of Edinburg in Leake County, MS. On her parent's farm she was the youngest child and had 8 siblings, all now deceased.
She was married to Kenneth Blocker from 1957 until his death in 1993. They resided in Clinton, MS for most of their married life but previously resided in Greenville, Clarksdale, Lyon, and Carthage, MS. Before marriage Melba did secretarial work at Standard Life in Jackson, MS but for the rest of her career she was a mother and homemaker. Her church home was Morrison Heights Baptist in Clinton and she was a faithful believer to the end.
Among her life’s ministries was the caring-for of aged relatives. She and Kenneth spent much time and energy visiting, caring for, and handling business matters for their parents, aunts, uncles, and sisters. This seemed to be their calling and they sacrificed much of their personal lives in doing so.
In 2016 following some health setbacks Melba moved from Clinton to Bay Springs and lived at Summerland Manor. She made new friends there and for a while taught Sunday school lessons to fellow residents. In Bay Springs she was able to enjoy visits with two of her great-grandsons Emmitt and Wyatt Moss.
She was preceded in death by two of her children, James L. (Jimmy) Pope and Rebecca Ann Burnham (Sid), also daughter-in-law Melissa. She is survived by son James (Ken) Blocker, Jr., grandchildren of Jimmy: Stacy, Anna, Spencer, Mary and Phoenix. Of Becky: Si, Josh and Maggie. Of Kenny: Caroline and Camille. Also, ten great grandchildren, a sister-in-law Nita Lay Hicks and a host of nieces and nephews, as well as, best friends Barbara Durham of Clinton and Ann Sims of Bay Springs. All these she loved deeply.
In lieu of flowers or plants, donations may be made to The Baptist Children’s Village (baptistchildrensvillage.com) or the Morrison Heights benevolence fund (morrisonheights.org)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lakewoodfuneraljackson.com for the Blocker family.
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