Birth date: Aug 8, 1923 Death date: Jun 24, 2011
Melba D. Caufield, daughter of Charles and Amanda Hall, was born August 8, 1923, in Hollywood, Tennessee. She departed this life Friday, June 24, 2011, in her home, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years, ten m Read Obituary
Mom, I know you had a nice Christmas in heaven with Britney and all your other friends and relatives who left this world before you and I can't believe we're going into another year without you. I miss you so much. Georgia##imported-begin##Georgia##imported-end##
We missed you at Thanksgiving and missed you at Christmas, but you are always in our thoughts. I love you so very much Mom.
Martha##imported-begin##Martha Hurt##imported-end##
Grandma was a practical, hardworking, somewhat of a no-nonsense woman; a mushy, sappy type of a woman I would say she was not – but I can say without a single hesitation or doubt, that she loved all of her grandchildren very much, and we knew that. I knew Grandma loved me very much. For example, she would comment that she was always so excited to get one of my letters. She commented a few times to those around her how she thought my letters were funny, that I wrote with a comedic tone. I always got a chuckle out of hearing that because I was just relating in my letters the day-to-day stuff of raising kids, which those of you who have kids knows that that involves things like various bodily functions, general chaos at home, and which mental institution is best for the parents to check in to. I guess she just appreciated that I took something mundane and found humor in it, but furthermore, what I am very thankful for is that she loved my letters and they made her smile and laugh. When my husband, Fred, first met Grandma, he told me that she gave him such a big, hard hug and a huge smile that Fred, for minute, thought that maybe she confused him with someone else, that he was another relative – a cousin or someone. Fred will always remember her for that, she always greeted him that way. That is another way I knew she loved me very much, because she extended that love to my husband even though she hadn’t known him for very long.
As a teacher, I meet many of my student’s parents, and the saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is one I use quite frequently – and sometimes that isn’t always meant in a positive way, but in the case of Grandma, I would say that about all of her offspring, and I mean that in the very most positive way. Grandma led by example. She worked very hard and supported Grandpa in every way that she was capable of. If there were cattle to round up, she did it; if there was a fire to put out by the tracks, she did it. She led by her example. Grandma had a very strong work ethic that has inspired many of us. I, personally, can attribute my sense of work ethic to her as it was passed down to me by my Mom, Georgia.
One of my most cherished memories are the meals…. Grandma’s mid-day meals… and… THE BELL. As a kid, these meals looked like so much food on the table. And I would always be so excited to ring the back porch bell so where ever Grandpa was on the farm, he’d know it was time to eat. I would continually ask her “Can I ring the bell?” “Is it time to ring the bell?” until she would give me the go ahead. My brother and I would race to the back porch and of course I’d beat him because I was older and frankly, I just pushed him out of the way because it was such a big deal to me to ring THAT bell. I’d be out there ringing that bell so hard that Grandma would have to tell me “that’s enough” and it was time to stop. I think she thought I would break it right off its post; and I do believe I drove her nuts over that bell. But the times around that table (and there are so many) with the family all together, with Grandma’s prepared meals, I will never forget. I will always treasure those memories espcially that certain smell of toast, bacon and coffee; that ALWAYS reminds me of Grandma.
There are so many memories I could share of Grandma, I could be here all day. But what I want most to relate to all of you is that Grandma loved deeply those around her. She cherished her family, she was proud of her family, and if she was capable or had the means, she would do anything for her family. Grandma is with the Lord now and is happy; I will take comfort in that as I hope all of you do, too.
I really miss you Grandma.##imported-begin##Terri Brock (grandaughter of Melba and daughter of Georgia)##imported-end##
Martha, So sorry to hear your mom passed away. I was out of town and just wish I could have attended the funeral. I have great memories of her when being at your house when we were in Jr. High & High School. You're in my prayers.##imported-begin##Jean Ellen Tapp##imported-end##
Sympathy to your family, as I remember back over the years of your family in the Ivey community, where my Uncle Oscar Patton lived. Tutter Patton was my dad. Dorothy (Patton) Brawley##imported-begin##Dorothy (Patton)Brawley##imported-end##
Martha, My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God's grace comfort and give you strength in the coming days.##imported-begin##Paula Pringle-Fisher##imported-end##
JAMES, JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WE WILL THINKING ABOUT YOU, IN THE LOSS OF MELBA##imported-begin##JOE & JUANITA (HENSON)PAGE##imported-end##
Joe and Family, We are truly sorry for your loss. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers##imported-begin##Brian and Tammie Black##imported-end##
Our thoughts are with all of you. Wish we could attend in person but know we're with you in spirit.##imported-begin##Wayne Hil and Kathy Obert##imported-end##
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.##imported-begin##Ray & Donna Dye##imported-end##
