Melba Cantrell

Melba Ann Cantrell, daughter of the late Howard Earl and Lula Edith Eaton Carpenter, was born in Steele, Missouri on February 1, 1947, and passed away at her home in Washington, Louisiana on September 12, 2013, at the age of 66 years, 7 months and 11 days. She had lived in Dexter and the surrounding area most of her life and had lived in Washington, Louisiana the past three years. She had worked at the Daily Statesman and at Hudson Foods and Tyson Foods. She was of the Baptist faith. On March 3, 1978, she was married to Charles Fate Cantrell in Dexter, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 17, 2002. Surviving are her companion, Kevin Smart of Washinton, Louisiana; one son, Brandon Cantrell of Dexter; four daughters, Mary Draper, Marsha Conner and Brooke Cantrell all of Paragould, Arkansas, Brittany Smart of Houston, Texas; she helped raise Kierstan and Keyiarra Smart both of Washington, Louisiana; six step children, Christine Cantrell, Jasper and James Dale Cantrell all of Dexter, Bobby Cantrell of Malden, Wayne Cantrell of Leachville, Arkansas, Charles Cantrell of Advance; 24 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; four sisters, Ruth Matney of Dexter, Edith Ishmail of Apache, Oklahoma, Millie Spore of Ruby, Michigan and Vicki Stevenson of Arlington, Texas. Other relatives and many friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one step daughter, Doris Gibbs; one step-grandson, Sparky Gibbs; two brothers, Earl and Willie Carpenter; and three sisters, Mary Terry, Carolyn Ridge and Minnie Carpenter. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Dexter, Missouri Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 15 , 2013, at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri with Rev. Tim Russell of Dexter, Missouri officiating. Interment will be on Monday, September 16, 2013, at 11:00 AM in the Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.