Melba Smith

Melba Rae (McKenzie) Smith died on August 06, 2015 in Georgetown, Texas in the company of her family. Melba was born on May 28, 1925 in Sheridan, Arkansas to Arthur Ray (A.R.) McKenzie and Hallie (Arbaugh) McKenzie. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1943 and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1946 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Home Economics. After graduation, Melba followed in the footsteps of both of her parents and entered the teaching profession. Her career began in Brinkley, Arkansas in 1946. In 1952 she accepted a job offer from Braniff Airlines and moved to Dallas. She later resumed her teaching career as a home economics teacher at schools in Milford, Italy, and Grandview. In 1985, after 35 years as a teacher, Melba retired. She enjoyed her later years by spending time with her family, cooking, sewing, and following the Arkansas Razorback sports teams. She married Robert (R.C.) Smith on July 24, 1954 in Sheridan, Arkansas. The marriage lasted for over 50 years until R.C.'s death on October 22, 2004. She is survived by one son, Robert Ray (Bob) Smith and daughter-in-law, Cindy Aldy Smith and one grandson, Robert Shea Smith, all of Georgetown, Texas; two granddaughters: Jennifer Cantrell and husband, Stephen, of Mooreville, Mississippi and Lacy Cunningham and husband, Buck, of Oxford, Mississippi; one great-grandson: James Cunningham; one great-granddaughter: Finley Jane Cantrell; three cousins: Margaret (McKenzie) Herzfeld and husband, James, of Benton, Arkansas, Kathy McKenzie of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Carole Parsley and husband, Robert, of Crofton, Maryland, as well as a very close friend Mildred Talton of Arlington, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents, one uncle: Bob McKenzie and wife, Mary, of Hughes, Arkansas, and one cousin, Bob Kelly McKenzie. Her family express their deep gratitude to the staff of The Legacy in Georgetown, Texas and to Florentino Gonzales and family also of Georgetown, Texas for their special care, support, and many kindnesses. Memorials may be made to the Grand County Museum, 521 W. Shackleford Street, Sheridan, Arkansas, grantcountymuseumar.com or the American Heart Association.

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