Melba Joea McKenzie Howell

  Melba Joea McKenzie Howell, 79, of French Settlement, Louisiana, passed away on August 26, 2026. She was born on January 18, 1947, in Mobile, Alabama, and grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

  Melba was animated, joyful, funny, and feisty, with a personality that was impossible to hide — quite literally. Her smile and contagious laugh could light up a room, and her face usually said exactly what she was thinking before she ever had the chance to say a word. She could be stubborn, she could make you laugh, and when life became difficult, she possessed remarkable strength. When her family truly needed her, Melba was there.

  During her daughters' childhood years, Melba devoted herself to being a mother and homemaker. There were home-cooked meals every evening, homework to be done, and three daughters to raise. She created the kind of home where her family was cared for, fed well, and deeply loved.

  After her daughters were grown, Melba began another chapter of her life devoted to caring for others. She owned and operated a residential home for individuals with disabilities in Hammond, Louisiana, and later worked as a house manager for a residential home in Tennessee.

  Melba was also a talented watercolor artist with a wonderful eye for beauty. She could decorate, cook, and paint, and she did all three exceptionally well. Her family will remember her spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, chicken and dumplings, and stacked enchiladas — the kinds of meals that made home feel like home.

  On February 15, 1991, Melba married Vernon “Skip” Howell. The two were exceptionally good for one another and loved each other dearly. Together they traveled, shared adventures, and even went into business together, operating both the residential home and an ice cream shop. They shared nearly 30 years of marriage before Skip's death on February 18, 2021. Melba was never quite the same without him.

  Perhaps no role brought out Melba's joy more visibly than being “Maw Maw Melba.” She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her face would light up whenever they came around. She wasn't a grandmother who simply watched from a chair — she would get down on the floor to play games and color with them.

  She also had a tremendous love for her dogs, particularly Regis, Mikey, and Max. They were companions, family, and recipients of the same nurturing spirit she gave so freely to the people she loved.

  Melba's relationship with God was simple and sincere. Raised Baptist and later becoming Catholic, she taught her daughters the Christian faith and, more importantly, taught them to love God and Jesus. She loved reading her Bible and approached God with an almost childlike love and trust. She disliked gossip, rarely spoke ill of anyone, and possessed an extraordinary capacity to forgive.

  Even during her final years, when she lived with considerable pain, Melba rarely complained. A phone call with her was far more likely to find her in good spirits than dwelling on what hurt. Her family will remember her resilience, her unmistakable expressions, her humor, her cooking, her paintings, and the joy she found simply in having the people she loved around her.

  Melba is survived by her three daughters, Lynn Nola Prejean (Brian), Dana Nola Guitreau (Tory), and Michelle Nola; and her nine grandchildren, Jordan Rish (Andrew), Jillian Courville (Dexter), Jade McCune (Kurt), Jason Colkmire, Paige Crawford (Caleb), Grace Sanford, Brooke Everette, Blade Dozier, and Bailey Dozier.

  She is also survived by her sixteen great-grandchildren, Saylor, Lincoln, and Sophie Rish; Kaitlee and Nolan Courville; Annie and Weston McCune; Kye, Jessa, Maggie, and Tarver Crawford; Nadine Purpera; Kadance Badeaux; Koda and Baylan Egan; and Adeline Davis, with another great-grandson, Roddy Rish, expected soon.

  She is also survived by the children of her late husband, Vernon Howell, and their families; her sister, Agnes Stamps; her brother, Bruce McKenzie; and her sister-in-law, Joyce McKenzie.

  Melba was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Vernon “Skip” Howell; her parents, A.Q. and Lena McKenzie; her brother, Jimmie McKenzie; her brother-in-law, Donteine Stamps; and her nephew, Johnny Stamps.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to St. Joseph Hospice for the care and compassion shown to Melba during her final days.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement, Louisiana, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Following the Mass, Melba and her beloved husband, Vernon “Skip” Howell, will be laid to rest together as their cremated remains are interred at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Following the interment, family and friends are invited to gather for a meal and fellowship at St. Joseph's Community Center.