Melba Brooks, 97 of Branson.

Melba Brooks, 97 of Branson, entered into rest on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Shepherd of Hills Living Center.

Melba was born Melba Nell Newton on March 31, 1927 in Odell, Texas.  She was the youngest of nine children born to George & Elizabeth Newton.  She had a great fondness of her childhood and frequently retold her beloved stories and memories of growing up in Texas and time with her family.  It was at her time in high school where she first met her husband-to-be, Harland Brooks.  They were married on December 28, 1957 in Walters, Oklahoma.

The family moved to Belton, MO where Harland worked as a civil engineer at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base but their hearts were in Branson and they would spend every weekend camping at Compton Ridge and going to Silver Dollar City and Shepherd of the Hills.  In 1985, they extended their weekend stays to more than just weekends and then in 1998 moved to Branson permanently.

Melba loved the beauty of the Ozarks and the view from her home where she could enjoy the scenery. She built decks around her home to create what she called her “treehouse”. She was captivated by nature and cherished time peacefully watching birds come and go from the many bird feeders she placed at her home.  Melba was also creative and talented at designing home interiors and fashionable clothing.

She will be remembered for being an amazing mother and grandmother, a phenomenal tennis and volleyball player and full of sass.  She loved God and was a longtime member of the Church of Christ after moving to Branson.

Melba is survived by her children, Tammy Grady (Randy) of Ozark and Harland Brooks, Jr. “Chip” of Branson; her grandchildren, Anthony Bartolomi, Alexandria Grady and Happy Grady; her great-granddaughters, Bellah Bartolomi and Lucy Hawkins and her precious great-great-granddaughter, Airellah Bartolomi along with her many nieces and nephews.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, George & Elizabeth Newton; her husband, Harland Brooks, Sr.; two children, Heidi Flowers and Mark Flowers; and her eight siblings, Pauline Roberts, Opal Henry Watson, Mary Pedigo, Georgia “Pete” Bloomingdale, Dorothy Lindsay, Jimmie Fisher, Clifford “Buddy” Newton and Jack Newton.

Melba will be interred at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.  Cremation arrangements were in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.