Melba Jean (Hughes) Bennett, 85, of Patterson, MO, passed away Saturday, July 3, 2021, in St. Louis, MO. She was born in Patterson on May 18, 1936, to parents Reverend Ottis Andrew and Osa Mae (Buck) Hughes.
Melba was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. After graduating from Patterson High School, Class of 1953, she earned her teaching degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. She was raised in the Big Lake Community and married the love of her life, Bobbie Bennett Sr., on her 21st birthday, May 18, 1957, (Smart Man). Before getting married and moving to Maplewood, MO, she taught at Williamsville School and Green Hill School in the Big Lake Community. She worked as a secretary and retired from M.D. Magary Construction Company after thirty-five years of service.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by; brothers: Herbert Hughes and wife Pearlie of CA, Phillip Hughes and wife Alma of WY, Wayne Hughes and wife Velma of St. Louis, Orville Hughes of Piedmont, David Floyd Hughes of St. Louis; sisters: Sylvia Lane and husband Earl of Piedmont, Juanita McMahan and husband Bob of Piedmont, Minnie Ruth Darden and husband Marvin.
Melba is survived by her loving and devoted husband of sixty-four years; her son Bobbie Otto Bennett Jr. and his wife Sharice of St. Louis; her two grandchildren, Bobbie Otto Bennett III and Briana Jean Bennett, sisters-in-law: Melva Seal of Piedmont: Linda Bennett of Piedmont, Geneva Evelyn Hand of Patterson, Jeri Vegyelek and husband Joe of St. Louis and Sharon Sue Hughes of St. Louis. In addition, she loved all her nieces and nephews and treated her friends as family. Melba will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Visitation was held at 8:30 am, Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service followed at 11:30 am, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Bro. Mike Green ministered to the family. Music was provided by Briana Bennett and Cheryl Bennett Ruble. Bobbie Bennett III, Scott Darden, Chris Allen, Jeff Hand, Bennett Ruble, David Bennett, Dylan Schrader, Hunter Seal, David Zook, and Jeff Glass served as pallbearers. Burial was in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, Siva, MO. In honor and memory of Melba, donations can be made to Mercy Hospice South at www.mercyhealthfoundation.net/south, please select support SOU de Greeff Hospice House/Hospice Care. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.
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