Melba Gooding James

© Durant Daily Democrat

February 3, 2009

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Graveside services for Melba Gooding James, 94, of Durant, who died Monday, February 2, 2009, at Reunion Plaza in Durant, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Highland Cemetery in Durant. Rev. James Robinson will officiate.

She was born Wednesday, February 4, 1914, in Mead, to Henry Leavenworth Gooding and Annie Merle Lites.

She married Homer F. James September 9, 1933, in Tishomingo.

She worked as an assistant superintendent in the Bryan County schools for eight years. For 25 years, she worked as a clerk for the Board of Education and bookkeeper for the Durant public schools.

She was a graduate of Goodland High School in Hugo and received her bachelor's degree from 0SOSU in 1948.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Durant since 1931. She taught Sunday School for 60 years.

She was a longtime resident of Bryan County.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, Bruce and June Vaughan, two sisters, Frankie Franklin and Doris Rayburn, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is survived by niece, Betty Hawk of Odessa, Texas and special friends, Steve and Rachel Davis of Durant.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund 124 West Evergreen St., Durant, Oklahoma 74701.

Condolences may be sent to the family at dhfh@communicomm.com.

Dalton-Holmes Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

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