DEFOOR

Melba Joyce Speck DeFoor passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25 at Columbus Oaks Healthcare in Columbus.

Melba was born in Hahn on July 9, 1925, along with her twin sister Nelda, to Jesse Andrew and Ida Mae Speck. After graduating from Rock Island School, she worked in Eagle Lake and as a schoolteacher in Rock Island during the 1940s. She married Samuel Arthur DeFoor in her parent’s home Apr. 9, 1950. She was a homemaker and mother, active in her church serving as a Sunday School teacher and in the Women’s Missionary outreach. In her later years, she was an active member of the Rock Island Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary and the Rock Island Water Supply Corporation.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel DeFoor; parents Jesse Speck and Ida Maye Adams Speck, her sisters, Retha Spindler, Gladys Owers, Nelda Baker and brothers John, Harvey, and Jay Speck.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet DeFoor Brandt and husband Alan Brandt of Columbus; grandsons Jeremy Brandt of Bryan, Daniel and Tammy Brandt of Paris, and Adam and Micah Brandt of Dallas, GA; great-grandchildren Nicole and Dakota Phillips of Paris; Emma, Chloe, and Sam Brandt of Paris, and Ryan, Katie, Lilly, and Evie Brandt of Dallas, GA.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 1-2 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home, Columbus.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home with Calvin Harris, pastor of the Full Gospel Church officiating. Burial will be in Myrtle Cemetery in Rock Island, Texas.

Pallbearers are grandsons Jeremy, Daniel and Adam Brandt and great nephews Shannon Owers, Brad Owers and Reuben Taylor.

Memorials may be given to Myrtle Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 143 Rock Island, Texas 77470.

Online condolences may be given at www. hennekefuneralhome. com.