Melba Holland Hendrix
Services for Melba Holland Hendrix, 87 of Rayville will at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Woodlawn Baptist Church with the Rev. Roger Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow in the Rayville Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.
Mrs. Melba passed from this life and went to her heavenly home June 26, 2016. She was born on June 27, 1928 in Plain Dealing, LA. Christmas of 1st grade her family moved to Jerome, AK where they homesteaded 160 acres. While living here she trusted Jesus and was baptized in Boeuf River east of Jerome. She met Doc Hendrix and they were married on April 13, 1946. She graduated from Dermott High School that same year.
She moved to Grand Junction Co after graduation and Doc came soon after. Their son, Kirby was born there July 15, 1947. Doc’s health concerns required moving back to the south in 1949.
Melba went to work for Soil Conservation Service in Rayville and was among the first employees to work in the new Court House in 1954. She worked for Farmers Home Administration and Selective Service until mid 70’s. From 1961 to 1971 Doc and Melba owned and operated Doc’s Cleaners in Rayville. After retiring from civil service work, she joined Doc in a new venture at the J&D Swap Shop, specializing in Army Surplus items. When Doc died in 1993, she continued at the Swap Shop until 2002.
She was a charter member of Woodlawn Baptist Church. She loved the Lord, her family and friends, and church. She was very active in church life, playing the piano, singing in the choir and serving as WMU leader for many years.
She loved Rayville, often saying, “There’s no place I’d rather be than right here.”
Melba wrote the Outlook column for the Beacon News from 1987 until last month. She loved sharing with her readers the news of her community and her world.
She is preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, C.G. “Doc” Hendrix; her parents, Dock and Martha Holland; infant sister, Edith Mazell; brothers, Wade Ardell Holland, Clyde Weldon Holland and James Tillman Holland.
She is survived by her son, Kirby Hendrix and wife, Linda; granddaughter, Kristi H. Wiggins and husband, Roy; grandson, Kevin Hendrix; great granddaughter, Abby W. Penick and, husband Hunter; special “Aunt Sister” Ann W. Jones; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend Laura Pierce.
Pallbearers will be Joe Comeaux, Charles Johnston, Larry Milby, Ronald Gonzales, Glen Bryan, and Steve Weeks.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 28, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at Woodlawn Baptist Church.
Online registry and condolences made at www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Baptist Children’s Home are appreciated.