Melba Carpenter

Melba Jean Carpenter, 75, of Thornton, passed away May 19, 2018 in Mexia. Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in the Thornton Cemetery with Pastor Paul Moore officiating. Melba was born May 27, 1942 in Houston, Texas to Arthur and Francis Harris Metzler. She married Jack Barnes in Houston, Texas in 1958 and they were blessed with two children, Janice and Kevin. After his death, she later married Donald Carpenter. She retired from the Mexia State School's Housekeeping Department after many years of service. Melba was loving, caring and always willing to help others. Her life and love for family began at an early age. She unselfishly helped raise her siblings and their needs were always put before hers. These traits continued as she married and had children of her own. Melba was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Her family even extended to her dog, Bonnie, that she dearly loved. One of the many things that comes to mind when remembering Mom, was never run out of coffee, she had to have her coffee. Melba was also a faithful Christian and longtime member of the Assembly of God in Thornton. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack Barnes and Donald Carpenter; and siblings, Deloris Payon and Frank DeVries. Melba is survived by her loving children, Janice Smelley and husband, Jim of Rosharon, TX and Kevin Barnes of Meridian, TX; grandchildren, Aaron Smelley, Amy Hartner and husband, Kent and Emily Barnes; great grandchildren, Victoria and Abigail Smelley and Gavin Hartner; sisters, Shirley Arizmendi and Laura DeVries-Durkin; and several nieces and nephews.

Service Information

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018 1:00pm, Thornton Cemetery