Melva Ruth Smith

Melva Smith (nee Hendrix) of O’Fallon, Missouri, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 1, 2020, at the age of 86.  She was born April 22, 1934, in Rogers, AR to Lonnie and Dicie (Woodcock) Hendrix, now deceased.   She married her longtime friend and love, Richard B. Smith in June 1952, who preceded her in death in 2007.

Melva loved her family, music (playing piano, organ & singing), sewing, quilting, taking long driving trips with her husband across the countryside, and her cats. In the 1990’s she retired from McDonnell Aircraft/Boeing working as a Dept. Secretary supporting foreign reps from other countries.  She and her husband spread their love of music throughout their household to their four children.  In the 1960’s, 1970’s, and until the mid-1980’s, they founded two bands, “The Smith Aires”, and “Second Time Around”, while including their children as band members.  They became known as a popular weekend family band, playing private parties and weddings in the St. Louis area. After her husband’s death, Melva continued singing in the church choir.

Her life was a living example of the Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 — “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

Melva is survived by her brother and wife Leroy and Martha Hendrix, Rogers, AR; four children, Glen Smith (Shelley Heeley), St. Louis, MO; Martin “Moose” Smith, (Elizabeth), Azle, TX; Susan Nanney (Kenneth), O’Fallon, MO; Bridget Ungarsky (Joshua), Springfield, MO; five grandchildren, Paul Nanney (Diamond Harmon), Patrick Nanney (Shelby), Bryan Heaston (Simone), Mitch Vicieux (Campbell Sloan), Kaylee Ungarsky; and eight great-grandchildren, Corey, Matthew, Emma, Lexie, Owen, Denary, Jack, and Bryanna.  All of these she loved and carried deeply in her heart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Melva's name to Assumption Catholic Church, O’Fallon, Missouri.

Please check back for a live web streamed video of the services.

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