Melba Lee Brown

Melba Lee Brown, our beloved mother and grandmother, 88, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2022, after a brief and sudden illness. We are thankful that we were able to surround her with love as she was received by Our Heavenly Father.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, January 5, 2022 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Parkhill Cemetery following the service.

Melba was born July 19, 1934, to David and Helen Hardy, of Rochelle, Georgia. She married Wyley Mell Brown Sr.  on June 2, 1958 and was a devoted wife of more than 50 years. Together they traveled and enjoyed life as they raised a family of their own. In Melba’s earlier years she worked as a cosmetologist and before retiring, she was employed by Tom’s Foods of Columbus, Georgia. After retirement, her passion was caring for her husband, children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and still babysat anytime she had the opportunity. Her family was not her only passion. She loved the Lord, baking chocolate chip cookies and her famous chocolate cakes, shopping with her sisters, University of Georgia football games, Atlanta Braves baseball games, and any old Western show or movie that was on television.

Other than her parents Melba is preceded in death by her step-father, Zeb (Shorty) Hall), husband Wyley Sr., sister, Rebecca Faye Spires, brothers , Dennis Hall, David Hardy and daughter- in- law Susan Brown. Our sadness is slightly lessened knowing she is being greeted by many loved ones, especially, our Dad, who we are sure is dancing with her now.

Melba is survived by her children, Michael Brown (Robin), Wyley Brown, Jr. (Patti), Kenneth Brown (Ashley) and Shawn Dutton (Ed); sisters, Priscilla “Susie”Hardy and Barbara “Karen” Biehl (Danny), brother, Wallace Hall. Not only was she blessed to be called Mom but she was blessed to be called Grandma, Memaw, MooMoo and MeMe by her grandchildren, Christi Starr (Luke), Carey McKinney (Tamara), Jean Frost (Keith),  Wyley Mell “Trey” Brown III, Lyndi Lee (Jered), Brant Brown (Rachel), Cason Brown, Skyler Brown, Meyer Waddell, Audrey Waddell, Macoy Waddell, grandchildren, Mason, Gavin, and Makenna Acheson, Tyler and Annika Starr, Kiley Graham, Laken and Baylyn Lee, William Brant (Liam) and Arielle Brown,  numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many loving friends.

We extend a special thank you to everyone who has reached out to us during this difficult time. Your kindness and love will always be with us.