Melba Ruth Barras Ownby passed from this world on June 21, 2023 at the age of 97. She was a lifelong resident in the Port Arthur, Texas, area where she was born on June 2, 1926. She resided at Pelican Bay Assisted Living in Beaumont at the time of her death.
She graduated from St. James Catholic School in Port Arthur. Over the years she has been active at Immaculate Conception Church in Groves, St. Charles Choir in Nederland, and most recently at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in China.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ovide and Mildred Barras; her loving husband Bart V. Ownby, Jr.; her devoted son Bart V. Ownby, III; her brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Lila Mae Barras; her brother, Tommy Barras.
She is survived by two daughters: Bonnie Ownby Longnion of Kingwood, TX; Bridgett Ownby Bourne and her husband, Mike Bourne of Nome, TX; her sisters: Annalee Draughon and her husband, Bill Draughon of College Station, TX, Leola Dupre and her husband, Francis Dupre of St. Louis, MO; her sister-in-law Dorothy Barras of Shreveport, LA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Jennifer Longnion of Redondo Beach, CA; Jeff Longnion of Boise, ID; Bart V. Ownby, IV of Abita Springs, LA; Michael Bourne of Bossier City, LA; Shawn Bourne of Round Rock, TX; Sarah Bourne of Willis, TX; and Bailey Knowles of China, TX and 12 great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
Melba Ownby served her community as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur. She later worked in a local physician’s office. She was passionate about her service to her patients.
She enjoyed reading, sewing, dancing, playing bridge, traveling, and socializing with family and friends. Melba loved her Cajun roots and sang with the Cajun Choir. She loved to cook and made the best gumbo declared by her family and friends.
She was kindness, generosity and is beloved by her family who will miss her every day.
The family request if you wish to honor her through a donation, please consider donating to mom’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home, with a gathering of family and friends from 1:00 PM until service time. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves.
The family graciously thanks the staff at Pelican Bay Assisted Living and Accent Care Hospice for their loving care of mom.