Melba Lynn Walker Benton

Melba Lynn Walker Benton,89, of Bryant was born in Blytheville, Ark., on Oct. 29, 1928 to Daniel Earl and Elizabeth Buck Walker. Melba graduated from Blytheville High School in 1946 and attended Central Baptist College in Conway. While in college, she met her future husband, Joe R. Benton, in the Greeson Drug Store. He was just out of the Army and attended Arkansas State Teachers College. They were married in 1947 and lived in Conway until Joe graduated college. Melba worked at Maumelle Ordinance Works during that time. They moved to Little Rock where she worked for the Army Corps of Engineers and they began their family. In 1966, Melba, Joe and their three children moved to Bryant in the home they built on the Old Hot Springs Highway (Highway 5) and she worked as a substitute teacher in the Bryant Schools for many years. After the kids were older, she also owned and operated Bryant Area Flower Shop. Melba was a long time member of Temple Baptist Church in Little Rock and later transferred her membership to Park Place Baptist Church in Bryant. She also volunteered at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock for approximately 30 years and delivered Meals on Wheels to area Senior Adults. Melba was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe in 1986, brother Earl Walker of Portageville, Mo.; son-in-law Ricky Boone of Bryant and grandson Walker Dean Rowlett of Bryant. She is survived by her three children, Lynda Boone of Little Rock, Bob Benton (Tina) of Benton and Mandy Rowlett (Randy) of Bryant. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Amber Johnson, Ashley Bolen (Clay), Aaron Boone, Trey Benton (Diana), Rusty Rowlett, Maci Rowlett and great-grandchildren Avery, Dalton and Sawyer Boone, Ryley McMains, Jayke, Olivia and Katie Jo Bolen and Liam Benton along with numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Visitation will be held from 10–11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at Pinecrest Funeral Home in Bryant. A brief graveside service will be held immediately following at Pinecrest Cemetery. The family will be at Melba's home in Bryant at following the service. Memorials may be sent to Saline Hospice Care at 23517 Interstate 30, Bryant, Ark. 72022.