Wanda Faye Melton

Graveside service at noon Wednesday, July 12, at Peel Cemetery, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

A woman that lived for her children; a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister, Wanda Faye Melton, 84, of Lead Hill, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at Creekside Health and Rehabilitation in Yellville, Arkansas, Saturday, July 8 (2017), after a long, yet very brave fight with dementia.

An amazing cook, she learned from generations of pioneer women with authentic experiences and southern culture. Wanda cooked and baked, and people from all around would love to come over, just to sit in her small kitchen while she would cook them fried deer meat, fried potatoes and of course, her infamous, incredible, homemade, fried apple pies. She loved to water ski when she was younger and also loved fishing. In addition, she loved her flowers and gardening, which again was learned from generations of amazing gardeners. She would mostly just sit on her deck enjoying the sounds of nature while watching her son, Lee, take care of the farm she loved so much, with hard work, pride and respect.

She worked for the California Hacienda Hotel & Restaurant as a hostess where she would meet multiple celebrities and because of her warm smile and gracious hospitality, she would receive tons of autographs, which she would bring home to her son, Jerry. She retired from LaBarge Electronics and later served as a Big Cedar "Cookie Lady," dropping a batch of warm cookies to each guest room every night. Due to her diligence and hard work, she would later also become a Big Cedar housekeeper. Between her very meticulous quilt making and crocheting, her cooking and gardening, her handmade clothes/mending for not only herself but also her children and friends, her hands were never idle! Her hospitality extended not only to her family but to all that she met! She will be missed by so many!

Wanda Faye is survived by her children, Jerry (Janet) Canady and Lee (Angela) Melton; her brother and sister, Sue Burns and Don (Mary Jane) Offenbacher; her grandchildren, Allen (Candyce) Canady, Jason (Sabrina) Canady, Seth (Chelsea) Canady, James (Melissa) Milligan, Lisa (Dusty) Hagler, Aleatha Milligan, Kaylee Martin and Greyson Melton; and a total of 15 great-grandchildren.

Wanda Faye was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Sallie Offenbacher; her husbands, A.J. Canady and Lynn Melton; her brothers and sister, Charles Offenbacher, Dorothy Methvin, Earnest Offenbacher and Richard Offenbacher; her children, Cindy Thorton and Diane Canady; and her grandchild, "Angel" Melton.

Visitation is from 9-11 a.m., Wednesday, July 12, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

Graveside funeral service is at noon, Wednesday, July 12, at Peel Cemetery, Peel, Arkansas.

Pallbearers are Allen Canady, Jason Canady, Seth Canady, Alan Chambers, Oliver English, Randy Moses, James Moses and Justin Brisco.

Honorary pallbearers are Robert Chambers and Jamie Milligan.

Here's a very big, heartfelt "Thank You" to all the doctors, EMT services and staff at Creekside Health and Rehabilitation for years of dedication and sincere kindness and thoughtfulness for a woman that deserved and appreciated it! God Bless You All!