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Melba Cotham Christy, age 74 of Monticello, passed away Monday, July 3, 2017 at her home in Monticello. She was born April 24, 1943 in Portland, AR to the late William Richard Derryberry and Willie Jean Davis Derryberry.
She was the widow of Billy Alford Christy, a hairdresser, secretary and bookkeeper and a member of Pauline Baptist Church. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a son, David Russell “Rusty” Cotham; the father of her sons, Keith Cotham; one sister, Joyce Ann Derryberry and a niece, Ashley Derryberry.
Survivors include one son, Brad Cotham and wife Frances of Hamburg; three brothers, Tommy Derryberry and wife Linda and Billy Derryberry all of Monticello, and Larry Derryberry of Albany, KY; five sisters, Judy Stodgehill and husband Larry, Jeannie Selby (who cared for Melba for 8 years) and Coctha McVay and husband Barry all of Monticello, Janice Yarbrough and husband Carl of Mayflower and Lolly Hill and husband Rob of Perryville; grandchildren, Candice Cotham, Heather Hendrickson, Terry and Karen Hendrickson, Angie Goings and Jimmy Bush; a special great-niece, Kelli Cotham Lowery of Rison; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A private family graveside service will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Wilmar Cemetery with Rev. Buddy Lemons officiating. Memorials may be made to Wilmar Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 132, Wilmar, AR 71675. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
She was the widow of Billy Alford Christy, a hairdresser, secretary and bookkeeper and a member of Pauline Baptist Church. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a son, David Russell “Rusty” Cotham; the father of her sons, Keith Cotham; one sister, Joyce Ann Derryberry and a niece, Ashley Derryberry.
Survivors include one son, Brad Cotham and wife Frances of Hamburg; three brothers, Tommy Derryberry and wife Linda and Billy Derryberry all of Monticello, and Larry Derryberry of Albany, KY; five sisters, Judy Stodgehill and husband Larry, Jeannie Selby (who cared for Melba for 8 years) and Coctha McVay and husband Barry all of Monticello, Janice Yarbrough and husband Carl of Mayflower and Lolly Hill and husband Rob of Perryville; grandchildren, Candice Cotham, Heather Hendrickson, Terry and Karen Hendrickson, Angie Goings and Jimmy Bush; a special great-niece, Kelli Cotham Lowery of Rison; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A private family graveside service will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Wilmar Cemetery with Rev. Buddy Lemons officiating. Memorials may be made to Wilmar Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 132, Wilmar, AR 71675. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.