Melba Ferrell Obituary

Melba Louise Ferrell

Melba Louise Ferrell, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Mercy Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 94. She was born on August 31, 1930, in Diehlstadt, Missouri, to the late Howard and Floy (Dozier) Kirkpatrick.

A longtime resident of Benton, Missouri, Melba was a woman of deep faith and kindness. She was a devoted member of the First Assembly of God Church in Scott City, where she played the organ and piano and shared her love for the Lord by teaching the adult ladies’ Sunday School class for over 50 years. One of her greatest joys was gathering with the Quilting Ladies every Tuesday, where she found friendship, laughter, and purpose in creating beautiful works of art.

Melba dedicated many years to serving her community as a former employee of Ziegler’s Grocery in Benton. However, her true calling was as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She married Bartley Ferrell on March 29, 1947, and they shared more than 60 years of marriage before his passing on May 8, 2008.

She is survived by her children: Larry Ferrell of Jackson, Barbara Dick of Lutz, Florida, Janet Smith of Memphis, Tennessee, and Sandy (Clayton) Bryant of Benton; five grandchildren: Matthew (Allie) Ferrell of Cape Girardeau, Jennifer (Sam) Dye of Jackson, Michael (Sarah) Ferrell of Sahuarita, Arizona, Lance (Jessie) Ferrell of St. Louis, Missouri, and Stacy Perez of Lutz, Florida; eight cherished great-grandchildren; and her brother, Russell (Earlene) Kirkpatrick of Gilbertsville, Kentucky. She is also fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Kenneth Kirkpatrick, her son Bartley C. “Buz” Ferrell, Jr., and her son-in-law Dannie W. Dick.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a visitation on Monday, March 10, 2025, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton, Missouri. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM, officiated by Rev. Larry Lacey. Interment will take place at Forest Hills Cemetery in Morley, Missouri.

Melba’s legacy of faith, love, and service will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.