Melba Hillis

GIDEON, Mo. -- Melba Lee Hillis, 79, of Gideon died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

She was born on Dec. 19, 1926, at Clarkton, Mo., daughter of A.D. and Nettie Langston House. She and Clarence Hillis were married May 28, 1943, at Campbell, Mo.

Hillis was a member of New Life Fellowship Church in Campbell.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, Danny Hillis of O'Fallon, Mo., James Hillis of Jackson; five daughters, Brenda Riddle and Carol Gray, both of Malden, Mo., Sandra Holt of Clarkton, and Diane Ray and Jan Ray, both of Gideon; a sister, Pauline Payne of Qulin, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Bradshaw Chapel in Malden.

The funeral will be at 4 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Raymond Ledbetter officiating. Burial will be in Mount Gilead Cemetery at Clarkton.