Melba Jean Williams (nee Rodgers), passed away, Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

Beloved mother of Randy Williams, Ralph (Jeannie) Williams, and Sheila (Joseph) Williams-Miller.  Proud grandma of Riley (Danielle) Maker, Jordan Watkins, Chelsea Watkins, Jake (Sydney) Williams, and Josie Beth Williams. Loving great grandma of Ethan Williams, Henri Maker, Arlen Kaye Williams, and Preston Wayne Williams.  Dearest sister of Linda Stuart and Bonnie Johnson.  Dear aunt, cousin and friend of many.

Melba was born February 27, 1941 in Manila, Arkansas to the late Ed and Vera Rodgers.  She was the fourth of twelve children; Louise, Nileane, Glenn, Melba, Joyce, Dale, Linda, Bonnie, David, Paul, Stephen and Beverly.  Melba was the granddaughter of a Baptist Preacher.
Melba learned hard work at a young age and started picking cotton where she earned $3.50 per one-hundred pounds. Due to challenging circumstances, Melba withdrew from her schooling in the 9th grade to help her mother at home.  At the age of 19, she made her way to St. Louis for a better job.  Melba later took interest in becoming a beautician so she enrolled at the Beauty School in Kirkwood.  After graduating from beauty school in 1977 she remained at the school and worked as an instructor.

Melba was blessed in life with three children.

Before the days of DIY chanels and Youtube home improvement tutorials, Melba mastered the art of acquiring homes in need of improvement, renovating while living in them and then selling them for a profit.  This she did multiple times and started when she was 50 years old.  Melba enjoyed these projects so much, she was ready to make another move at the age of 82 and start another home project.  She had a vision of what was unappealing to some and turned it into what was wanted by others.  She was a self-made successful woman.
Melba found much enjoyment in life doing what she called "junkin", which consisted of driving around in her 23 year old 1998 Ford pickup truck, looking for antiques and other treasures at yard and garage sales and antique shops.  She also loved cooking for her family and friends and made the best meatloaf, fried potatoes, cornbread and lemon cake! Melba also loved to sing and never lost her southern "twang".

Melba enjoyed meeting new people and could talk to just about anyone.  She was genuinely interested in others and often found ways to serve those in need.  Often times, she opened her home and took in people who needed help getting back on their feet.  Melba possessed the ability to love without condition and was by nature a protector and caregiver.  She also had a funny, sassy side that made her even more endearing.  Melba encountered much heartache and difficulty throughout her life, but remained stalwart and optimistic despite those challenges.

Melba's words of wisdom are intangible gifts that will continue to remain with her loved ones forever.  Melba had a high standard of dress for herself and others when attending church and would often say, "If you can dress up to go out on Friday or Saturday, you can dress up on Sunday to go to church".  She felt strongly about accepting accountability for one's choices and she coined the phrase, "The life you lead will show up on your face".  Melba was no stranger to life's challenges and learned to rely on God for strength. She often said, "God will always be there, when nobody else is".

Melba's favorite scripture and inspiration in life was found in 2nd Timothy, 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Melba's memory will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her.  She will be deeply missed.

Services: The family will receive friends at Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Rd., Ballwin, MO 63011, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 for a visitation from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2:30 p.m. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Melba to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .  Please share memories of Melba and condolences with the family in the online guestbook at Schrader.com.