Melba Dean Martinez

FARMINGTON- Melba Dean (Gray) Baker Martinez of Farmington passed away Friday, October 25, 2013 at the Southbrook Nursing Center at the age of 85 years. She was born October 17, 1928 at Elvins, daughter of the late Grover Pearl and Martha Elizabeth (Sullivan) Gray. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her fist husband Earl L. Baker in 1950, her second husband, Louis R. Martinez, Sr. in 1988, four sisters Oletta Beck, Mag Lovvorn, Edna Williams and her twin sister Mabel O'Farrell; four brothers, Charles Gray, Rev. Almon Gray, Henry Gray, and Leroy Gray. Melba grew up in the Elvins and Doe Run area and attended school at Stono and Elvins. She later went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse in California and Arizona. Following her retirement she returned to Missouri to be closer to family. She will be missed by all those who knew and loved her including her children, Louis R. Martinez , Jr. (& Marlene) of Imperial, Edward Blanc of Arizona, and Sharon Wampler of Texas, sister Ruth (& Melvin) Lawson of Branson, brother-in-law Jim O'Farrell of Farmington, and numerous other relatives and friends. Friends may call after 5 p.m. until 8 p.m on Monday October 28, 2013, at the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Visitation will resume Tuesday morning after 7 a.m. at the Cozean Chapel and continue until the time of the service at 10 a.m. with the Reverend Matt Prihoda officiating. Interment will take place at the Doe Run Memorial Cemetery at Doe Run. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Resident Fund at Southbrook Nursing Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory. View online obituary and share your condolences and memories at cozeanfuneralhome.com