Melba Barton

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Melba Gaye (Bone) Barton, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who left this world on January 13, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on March 3, 1937, in Leadwood, Missouri, Melba was the daughter of George William Bone and Mary Arlene Woodcock. Her life, spanning nearly nine decades, was filled with love, laughter, and unwavering kindness.

Melba was preceded in death by her beloved father, George William Bone, her mother, Mary Arlene Woodcock Bone Fryman, her sister, Georgia Anne Chambers, her brother, Michael Marion Bone, as well as her grandson, Corey Barton, great-grandson, Haylen Barton, and son-in-law, Gordon Kreider. Although she has departed from this earthly realm, her spirit and the lessons she imparted will remain forever in the hearts of those she loved.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry Ode Barton, with whom she celebrated a remarkable 70 years of marriage on September 24, 2025. Together, they created a loving home filled with warmth and joy. Melba's legacy continues through her children: Robert Alan Barton (Linda), Jerry Scott Barton (Brenda), Karen Ann Kreider, and Terri Lynne Driesel (Mack). She took great pride in her grandchildren: Erica Clancy, Mandy Barton, Jason Barton, Jennifer Martin, Sarah Sudheimer, Jamie Barton, Bailey Barton, Matthew Kreider, Joshua Kreider, Rachel Norrid, and Jillian Driesel, and her legacy extends to 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Melba is also survived by her brother, William "Bill" Milton Bone.

Melba's career was marked by her dedication to helping others. She began as a medical assistant to Dr. Beck in Farmington, Missouri. Dr. Beck delivered all her children. When her husband became a conservation agent, the family relocated to Kahoka, Missouri, where she continued her work as a medical assistant and later as an administrative assistant at the Clark County Nursing Home. Another transfer brought the family to Houston, Missouri. Melba played a pivotal role in establishing the first Senior Citizens Center in Houston, where she initiated the meals on wheels program and taught ceramics classes, nurturing creativity among the community's seniors. She eventually became the business office manager at Texas County Memorial Hospital. After a brief retirement, she returned to work at Home Health of the Ozarks before officially retiring in 1994 to devote herself wholly to her family as "Granny," where her nurturing spirit flourished. She and Jerry moved to Fairfield Bay in 2000.

A devoted member of the Fairfield Bay Baptist Church, Melba served as treasurer, sharing her gifts of organization and kindness with the community until her health no longer permitted.

In her leisure, Melba found joy in hiking Sugarloaf Mountain, entertaining her grandchildren at their lake house in Fairfield Bay, where doors were always open for family gatherings and the creation of lasting memories. Her kindness was a cornerstone of her legacy, as she and Jerry instilled in their children the mantra: "If you can be nothing else, at least, be kind."

Visitation will be at 10:00 am, Monday, January 19, 2026, at Fairfield Bay Baptist Church in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. The funeral will follow at 11:00 am, where family and friends can gather to celebrate her life and the profound impact she had on all who knew her.

The family would like to extend their special thanks to Kelsie Cox for her loving assistance and to Hospice Home Care for their compassionate care during Melba's final days.

Melba Gaye (Bone) Barton will be deeply missed but will live on in our hearts and memories, a beacon of kindness and love.

Clinton Funeral Service is honored to have been entrusted with arrangements for the Barton family. We welcome you to share your thoughts and memories of Melba on our Memory Wall.