Melva D. Hembree

Melva Dean Hembree was born on December 20, 1934 in West Monroe, LA and went to be with her Lord and Savior on the early morning of November 23, 2020 in West Monroe, LA. Melva was a member of McClendon Baptist Church. She faithfully served the Lord all her life. Melva began her career in New Orleans working for the telephone company. She married Bill Hembree in 1963 and supported his Air Force career while making a new career for herself as a pre-school caregiver. Melva lived in many states as the Air Force took their family all across our nation including Alaska & California, before returning to West Monroe. Melva was a devoted and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 53 years, three brothers, two sisters, one stepson, and one grandson.

Melva is survived by her stepson Jeff Hembree and his wife Lisa, her daughter Debbie Russell and her husband Harold, her son Johnny Hembree and his wife Kim; grandchildren, Cole Russell and his wife Mollye, Austin Russell and Katie Wilcox, Heather LaRoux; and numerous nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, and extended family.

Melva opted to forego a funeral, and in her continued generous spirit, has donated her body to science in hopes that others will continue to learn from her. In honoring her wishes to keep others safe and healthy, there will be no service.

If desired, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of bibles donated to Gideons or any other charity of choice. Melva loved a giving spirit and was very pleased when she bared witness to the charitable acts of others. Melva's lasting legacy is that others will hopefully follow the Lord as she has.