Melva Rose Lewis of Cape dies of heart attack in Czechoslovakia

Melva Rose Lewis, a former advertising saleswoman and obituary writer for the Southeast Missourian, had written her own obituary but didn't think she'd need it for a long while.

The 78-year-old Lewis died of a massive heart attack Tuesday shortly after arriving in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on vacation with family members, including her daughter, Mary Frances Young.

"She had a conversation on the train with Mary and said she'd probably live another 20 years," Lewis' son, Benjamin said Wednesday.

Lewis had high blood pressure and took medicine to control her cholesterol level but had no history of heart problems.

Benjamin Lewis, a Cape Girardeau attorney who is a former associate circuit judge, said his mother had just arrived at the apartment of his cousin, Lynette Williamson and her husband, Bob, when the heart attack occurred. She was a 1940 graduate of Central High School and 1944 graduate of Southeast. She also worked as a copywriter for Famous Barr in St. Louis and as a secretary for the United Way.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home, delayed due to Wednesday's May Day holiday in Europe.