Melba Janice Britton, age 87, of Clay City, Illinois, took her last breath, concluding a prayer surrounded by her family on Thursday morning, July 11, 2024, at her home.

      She was born on July 5, 1937, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Aaron and Mae Christy (Reeves) Powers.  She married Darrel Leon Britton on May 25, 1955, at Hoosier Prairie Church, and their 69 years of love and matrimony did not seem to be long enough.

      Darrel and Melba raised their four children Faron, Janet, Alan, and Sandy in Clay City.  She was active in the Rebekah's, gardening club, bible study, and CEFS.  She had worked for many doctors over the years.  She enjoyed time spent camping, quilting, and going for motorcycle rides with Faron and Al.  She had also enjoyed square dancing and snow mobile riding in her younger years.

      Melba answered to many names over the years, “mother,” “Mammaw,” “Mabel,” “Elba,” “Miss America,” “Matriarch,” and “Ma.”  She was referred to as “Mamaw” by many who were not blood relatives.

      Melba loved to play cards and was regularly accused of cheating, which she adamantly denied with her silly grin and claim to being the Matriarch.  She ran the kitchen on most Sundays to feed her large family.  She was thrilled to see her family arrive during the summer to help harvest the garden produce.  With 12 grandkids, 20 great-grandkids, 1 great-great-grandkid, and a grand-pig, her house was rarely empty but full of life and love.  She loved to garden and had won yard of the month on more than one occasion.

      She enjoyed church at Community Southern Baptist Church and was quick to encourage everyone to be there with her.  She loved God even more than she loved her family.  Her smile and hugs gave love and grace to so many even if they didn’t know her.  To know her was to love her.  She will be remembered, missed, and loved by many in our community.

      Melba leaves behind her husband Darrel Britton of Clay City; 3 children: Faron (Vonda) Britton of Newton, Alan (Renee) Britton of Orlando, Florida, and Sandy (Al) Meyer of Kell; 12 grandkids: Christy, Shannon, Dawn, Stephanie, Kristopher, Gage, Ashton, Tabatha, A.J., Tamara, Reyce, and Remington; 20 great-grandkids; 1 great-great-grandchild; an aunt: Hazel Reeves of Oklahoma; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

      She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter: Janet Hall; siblings: Marlene, Barton, and Kem; and 4 grandbabies.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Clay City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to Clay City Christmas Joy, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com