Melba Jean Paxton

Melba Jean Paxton, affectionately known as “Granny”, passed away on Thursday May 5, 2022.  Melba was born on August 17, 1939 in Humnoke Arkansas.  She was one of nine children born to Cluss Montgomery Sr. and Laura Haliburton Montgomery.

After high school, Melba moved to Little Rock where she held various occupations, including working for the railroad, Montgomery Ward’s for many years and then retiring from Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock.  While working at the railroad, she met and married James Henry Paxton.  Born to this union were five children, Dwayne Paxton of Memphis, Tennessee, Eric Paxton (Rose) of Little Rock, Arkansas, Rhonda Paxton Holmes of Little Rock, Arkansas, Ava Paxton Daley (Tom), of McKinney, Texas and Darren Paxton (Sualen) of Little Rock, Arkansas.

During her retirement, Melba enjoyed planting her flowers, shopping, cooking and spending time with her children, siblings, friends and extended family.  She especially loved cooking for holidays and baking her famous German Chocolate cake from scratch.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Paxton, her brothers, Cluss Montgomery Jr. and Alfred Montgomery, and her sisters Alice Cromwell and Rosine Martin.  She is survived by her five children and four siblings, Gladys Holland, Carolyn Cureton, Curtis Montgomery and Sandra Montgomery, 17 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.

Viewings will be held at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home located at 8801 Knoedl Ct. Little Rock, Arkansas on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  The funeral will be held the following day at 11:00 am at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home. 

Burial services will be private for immediate family.