Ora Melton

BARDWELL, Ky. - Ora Helen Smith Melton, 92, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died at 5:39 a.m. Feb. 9, 2004, at Countryside Healthcare in Bardwell.

Born Sept. 16, 1911, in Vego, Ill., daughter of the late Charles O. and Sarah Jane Warden Burgens, she lived in East Prairie for several years, where she was a member of St. James General Baptist Church. Before retiring, she was a den mother at the Old St. Vincent Seminary in Cape Girardeau. She moved to Bardwell four years ago.

On May 15, 1973, she married Aron Dellon Smith who preceded her in death on June 5, 1981. She later married Robert E. Melton and he died Oct. 5, 1994.

Also preceding her in death were two sons, Elmer E. Simms and Joe Edward Guffey; and one brother and two sisters.

Survivors include: two stepsons, J.T. Melton of Arlington and Dale Melton of Malden, Mo.; one stepdaughter, Wilma Derr of Virginia Beach, Va.; 21 grandchildren, including Lorene Murray of Morley, Mo., and Larry Simms of Tulsa, Okla.; and 26 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation begins at 5 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, where services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday. Walter Bryars and Brian Flanigan will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.