This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Birkner, Cook, Horrell, Vowell, Pennington, Merrick, Blount, Dyer, Martin, Reese, McMahon, Schuman, Coleman Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/plB.2ACI/3669 Message Board Post: Melba Birkner Jan. 13, 1929 - March 20, 2006 Saddened by her earthly passing but rejoicing in her heavenly homecoming, the family of Melba Rose Cook Birkner announces her death on March 20, 2006 at her home in Vanderpool, Texas. Melba was born on the family farm in Mabank, Texas on January 13, 1929, the youngest of twelve children of William Samuel and Rose Anna Horrell Cook. She had a happy childhood, mentioned often by her in colorful stories, and maintained a love for the "homeplace" and a close association with extended family and friends there throughout her lifetime. From her birth family, Melba was predeceased by her beloved Papa and Mama Cook; by brothers William Eugene, William Causton, Cyrus Lafette; and by sisters Finis Vowell, Naomi Pennington, Mary Merrick, Ethel Blount, Addie Dyer, Helen Martin, and Ruth Reese. She is survived by: one brother, Thomas; by brother-in-law Chester Dyer and sister-in-law Dorothy Cook; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Melba married the love of her life, Otha Wyatt "Skeet" Birkner, on June 15, 1946 in Bay City, Texas. She and Skeet reared their three sons there, and she guided and supported Wyatt, Donald and Tim in every undertaking and activity they ever engaged in. During the 1960's when Skeet served in the Texas Legislature, Melba was the consummate legislative wife and her contacts were far-reaching and lifelong. Her scrapbooks are filled with decades of personal correspondence and mementos from presidents, governors, and statesmen. For a number of years thereafter Melba was administrative assistant to the principal of Van Vleck elementary and middle schools, and hundreds of students will remember her fondly for the impact she made on their lives. Melba was uniquely gifted as a dress designer and seamstress, and created formal wedding gowns and special occasion dresses for scores of women. She was a noted doll creator and collector, and loved designing and creating elaborate Victorian doll clothing and accessories. Melba was also a superb pianist who played by ear, having taught herself at the age of four from watching the keys move on her family's player piano. Her interests were immensely varied, but she especially enjoyed restoring antiques, collecting vintage clothing and fabrics, and giving motivational speeches and musical performances. She recently joined the Red Hat Society, and didn't have to look farther than her own closets to find more red hats than the combined membership had. In retirement, Melba and Skeet built their dream home with their own hands on a "piece of paradise" across from Lost Maples State Park in Vanderpool, Texas. A waterfall on the Sabinal River was her backyard. To the end it was Melba's favorite place to be, and she frequently gathered her family around her there. As she wished, she passed away there with wildflowers blooming and hummingbirds feeding outside her window. Melba professed her belief in Christ at an early age and was active throughout her life in her childhood church in Mabank, in the First Christian Church and the First United Methodist Church in Bay City, in the Utopia United Methodist Church in Utopia, and in the Leakey United Methodist Church in Leakey, Texas. Her devout faith sustained her to the end. Melba's memory will be carried forward by her beloved husband of 59 years, Skeet Birkner, and by her surviving sons and daughters-in-law Wyatt Birkner and Kathy, Donald Birkner and Jerikay, and Tim Birkner and Janet. Meme loved and was loved by grandchildren Allan Birkner and Julie, Valerie Birkner McMahon and Chris, Derik Graves and Katy, Ron Schuman, Michael Schuman, Regan Birkner and Laura, Adam Birkner, Britt Coleman and Mary, Jason Birkner, Donald Wyatt Birkner, and Joseph Birkner; and also by great-grandchildren Tyler Birkner, Trey Birkner, Jenna Birkner, Kieran McMahon, Maya Coleman, and Nijah Coleman. She is additionally survived by Birkner brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews and their families, and a host of friends spanning generations and the country. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2006 at Utopia United Methodist Church in Utopia, Texas, and at the Vanderpool Tabernacle in Vanderpool, Texas. Also on Friday, visitation will be held at the Utopia United Methodist Church beginning at 11 a.m. and graveside services will be at the Vanderpool Cemetery. All arrangements are under the direction of Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary of Uvalde. The family would like to express grateful appreciation for the care and compassion shown by her doctors during Melba's four-year struggle with cancer. The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Melba's memory to the Vanderpool Cemetery Association, Vanderpool, Texas 78885. Bay City Tribune Published March 22, 2006 Matagorda County, Texas