Powers, Aaron W.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Oil Field Tank Builder
• Reference Number: POWE.A003

Family/Spouse: Reeves, Mae Christy. Mae was born on 5 Jun 1915 in Oklahoma; died on 6 Jul 1991; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois.

Children: 2. Powers, M.   3. Powers, Melba Janice   was born on 5 Jul 1937 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; died on 11 Jul 2024 in Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. 4. Powers, Barton Dale   was born on 14 May 1939 in Illinois; died on 1 Feb 1990; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: POWE.M003

Notes:

Melba Janice Britton, age 87, of Clay City, Illinois, took her last breath, concluding a prayer surrounded by her family on Thursday morning, July 11, 2024, at her home.

She was born on July 5, 1937, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Aaron and Mae Christy (Reeves) Powers. She married Darrel Leon Britton on May 25, 1955, at Hoosier Prairie Church, and their 69 years of love and matrimony did not seem to be long enough.

Darrel and Melba raised their four children Faron, Janet, Alan, and Sandy in Clay City. She was active in the Rebekah's, gardening club, bible study, and CEFS. She had worked for many doctors over the years. She enjoyed time spent camping, quilting, and going for motorcycle rides with Faron and Al. She had also enjoyed square dancing and snow mobile riding in her younger years.

Melba answered to many names over the years, “mother,” “Mammaw,” “Mabel,” “Elba,” “Miss America,” “Matriarch,” and “Ma.” She was referred to as “Mamaw” by many who were not blood relatives.

Melba loved to play cards and was regularly accused of cheating, which she adamantly denied with her silly grin and claim to being the Matriarch. She ran the kitchen on most Sundays to feed her large family. She was thrilled to see her family arrive during the summer to help harvest the garden produce. With 12 grandkids, 20 great-grandkids, 1 great-great-grandkid, and a grand-pig, her house was rarely empty but full of life and love. She loved to garden and had won yard of the month on more than one occasion.

She enjoyed church at Community Southern Baptist Church and was quick to encourage everyone to be there with her. She loved God even more than she loved her family. Her smile and hugs gave love and grace to so many even if they didn’t know her. To know her was to love her. She will be remembered, missed, and loved by many in our community.

Melba leaves behind her husband Darrel Britton of Clay City; 3 children: Faron (Vonda) Britton of Newton, Alan (Renee) Britton of Orlando, Florida, and Sandy (Al) Meyer of Kell; 12 grandkids: Christy, Shannon, Dawn, Stephanie, Kristopher, Gage, Ashton, Tabatha, A.J., Tamara, Reyce, and Remington; 20 great-grandkids; 1 great-great-grandchild; an aunt: Hazel Reeves of Oklahoma; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter: Janet Hall; siblings: Marlene, Barton, and Kem; and 4 grandbabies.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Clay City Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Clay City Christmas Joy, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.

Family/Spouse: Britton, D.L..

Children: 5. Britton, F.   6. Britton, A.   7. Britton, S.S.   8. Britton, Janet G.   was born on 21 Jul 1958 in Olney, Richland County, Illinois; died on 18 Nov 2013 in Clay City, Clay County, Illinois; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: POWE.B001
• _FGRAVE: 18364116
• Military Service: Machinist's Mate Third Class, United States Navy

Family/Spouse: ?, R..

Family/Spouse: Meyer, A.A..

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: BRIT.J002
• Funeral: 23 Nov 2013, Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Janet enjoyed a 35 year nursing career, the last 27 years of which were dedicated to Clay County Hospital where she loved her job and enjoyed helping people. Janet worked throughout the hospital in various departments including E.R., surgery, and the infusion clinic and was the first recipient of the "Spirit of Nursing" award given by the hospital. She was a member of Community Southern Baptist Church, participated in the Sisters by Heart Bible Study, volunteered as a nurse at the Baptist Church Camp for several years, and served as a Girl Scout Leader for many years. Janet had a free spirit, loved family gatherings, and enjoyed taking her nieces and nephews places. Since Wyatt was born, he became her world. Janet also enjoyed traveling with family and friends and going on Harley rides with Donnie.

Janet married Hall, D.

Children: 9. Hall, D.M.   10. Hall, S.

Family/Spouse: Erwin, R.F..

Children: 11. Erwin, W.

Family/Spouse: Horn, S..