Melba Maley, 88, of Granite Shoals, Texas, passed away from a lingering illness on

January 27, 2023. During her lifetime, she was a light in the life of the many people with

whom she came in contact. Melba was loving, encouraging, kind-hearted, and possessed

a great sense of humor. Melba often stated she was thankful for the blessed life she lived.

Melba was born in Picayune, Mississippi, on March 3, 1934, to W.M. "Jug" and Jean Reed

Miller. She enjoyed her childhood in Picayune and after graduation from Picayune

Memorial High School, she attended Bowling Green State University and earned a

diploma from the College of Business. She then began employment at the Mississippi

Employment Commission in Columbia, Mississippi, and Crosby Chemical Company in

Picayune, Mississippi. Upon moving to Houston, Texas, she began working for Jorgensen

Steel from which she retired after 20 years of employment.

While living in Houston, she went on a blind date with Glenn Maley, who became "the

love of her life". Melba and Glenn were married on February 19, 1961, in Picayune. The

two of them formed a lifelong partnership that included extensive travel on matching

motorcycles, whereby they developed many long-lasting friendships. After they tired of

the physical stress of motorcycle riding, they transitioned to an RV so they could continue their adventures and enjoyed the numerous RV rallies they attended. Together they

ultimately accomplished their goal of visiting and exploring all 48 contiguous states.

Melba's lifelong passions were her family, friends, faith, and church community ("the

greatest people on earth"). Her love of cats, dancing, music (playing the piano, tenor

saxophone, and organ), reading, and solving puzzles also filled her life. Other interests

included water sports (swimming, scuba diving, boating), traveling, hunting, camping, and

various church activities, especially game night where often her competitive spirit would

emerge. Sharing her faith by handing out small, handmade wooden crosses to people

was an important and rewarding mission for her.

In her later years, her neighbors, friends, and church community rallied around her to

provide unprecedented support so that she could age at home, which she fervently

desired. Her death leaves a giant void and she will be greatly missed.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, W.M. "Jug" Miller and Jean Reed Miller, her

husband, Glenn Maley, their son, Wayne Maley, and nephew Dwane Rivers. She is

survived by her sister Kay Miller, daughter Linda Maley Gregory and husband Bob

Gregory, grandchildren Matthew Scates, Caron Ogborne and husband Rob Ogborne,

great-grandchildren Camden Ogborne and Kaylyn Ogborne, and nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at Kingsland Community Church, 1136 RM 1431,

Kingsland, Texas, on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at

Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, 4219 Park Rd 4 S, Burnet, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please give donations to Kingsland Community Church or a charity of

your choice.