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© Herald Democrat 25 Jul 2013
Melba L. Ashley Grove was born on Nov. 28, 1931, to Edith Marie and Lubie Marvin Ashley. She passed away on Monday, July 22, 2013, at Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant, Okla., surrounded by her loving family. She was 81 years old.
As a child, Melba met this boy while at school in Mead, Okla. On Nov. 13, 1948, Melba married that boy, Gerald L. Grove. {Yep, she was 15 days shy of being 17 years old.} Over the years, they had some kids and moved around some, including to Lubbock, Texas, before settling into their house in Colbert, Okla. in 1974. While he farmed she took care of kids and grandkids from her kitchen. Melba's stove was always on as she baked pies, fried potatoes, deviled eggs, cut watermelon and sweetened tea for everyone that came to their house. Over the years, she continued to mix things up for numerous events and people in the community.
Melba was of Baptist faith and a devout member of the Kemp Baptist Church in Kemp, Okla. She and Gerald both loved being a part of the festivities and often made appearances in performances at the church.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, a son Jerry Wayne, two sisters Maxine Ashley Ash and Martha Ashley Gentry Goggins and great-granddaughter Alyssa Kozikowski.
Most recent was the loss of her husband, Gerald L. Grove on July 5, 2011. (In case you didn't do the math they celebrated 62 wedding anniversaries together.)
She is survived by daughters, Geraldene Dougharty of Colbert, Joyce and husband Terry Risner of Mead; sister, Marilyn Sue Bailey Durst of Durant; grandchildren, Ryan Kozikowski of Colbert, Bryce Risner of Metiarie, La., Elizabeth Dougharty of Fargo, N.D., Tera and husband John Cummins of Mead, Chance Risner of Mead; great-grandchildren Ravier Kozikowski, Colby Cummins, Caleb Cummins and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 26, at Cunningham Funeral Home in Colbert, Okla., with interment following at Mead Cemetery. Afterwards, all are welcome back at Cunningham Funeral Home for lunch. Family will receive friends from 7 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, at Cunningham Funeral Home in Colbert. Pallbearers will be Larry Grove, Benny Grove, Mike Grove, Bobby Grove, Billy Grove and Jimmy Gowan with honorary pallbearers Benny Bowles and Tamon Bowles.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be sent to Kemp Baptist Church and that when you sit down to a dessert with your loved ones you take a moment to smile and savor the sweetness of that time together.
The register book may be signed and online condolences be made at cunninghamfuneralhomesok.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cunningham Funeral Home in Colbert.
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