Melba J. Pritchard

Melba J. "Aunt Jean" Pritchard, 77, went to be with the Lord at 3:45am on Monday, June 10, 2013, at Alton Memorial Hospital. She was born on July 24, 1935, in Piggott, Arkansas the daughter of the late James O. and Ethel L. (Allen) Smart. She married Norman E. Pritchard on April 4, 1970, in Wood River and he preceded her in death on June 29, 1989. Survivors include two sisters and a brother in law: Viola Armenda "Mendy" and Paul Draper of Wood River, Rosa Lee Well of Alton, a sister in law: Nancy Smart of Topeka, Kansas, nephews and nieces and their spouses: Rev. Kerry Smart and his wife: Rev. Jane Kropa of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, James Braniff of St. Louis, Joshua and Tiffany Smart of Topeka, Kansas, Joshanna and Chet Stone of Topeka, Kansas, Eowyn and Jacob Montgomery of Bethalto, Michael and Mary Kelly of Orlando, Florida, Rosjean and Bryan Custer of Worden, Todd and Alicia Kelly of Dorsey, Roxanne and Keith Shaw of Port Orange, Florida, Kevin and Carla Evers of Florida, Karmen and Doug Birdsell of Jacksonville, Illinois, Chris and Erica Well of Nashville, Tennessee, Tawnya and Bob Strebler of Hartford, her great nephews and great nieces: Devin Kropa - Smart, Eve Pino, Jocelyn Adele Kropa - Smart, Alexandria Scearce, Josephine Smart, Samantha Smart, Danielle Smart, Charleston Smart, Zachary Kelly, Leo Burke, Celia Burke, Alexandra Kelly, Jacob Custer, Bryanne Custer, Brittany Custer, Ian Kelly, Evan Kelly, Kelcie Bradham, Kylee Shaw, Keegan Shaw, Kandace Shaw, Noah Strebler, Tanner Strebler, and Connor Strebler. She was formerly employed at A & P Tea Company. She and her husband owned and operated Pritchard Tree Service in Wood River. She retired from Regions Bank where she worked as a teller for over 19 years. An active member of the Bethalto United Methodist Church, she played the piano, organ, was a lay speaker, and was the director of the lay missions. She had been on three mission trips to Jamaica. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant sister: Mary Joyce Smart, a brother: Rev. William E. Smart, and a special friend Bill Moore. In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, June 14, 2013, at the Bethalto United Methodist Church in Bethalto. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at the Bethalto United Methodist Church. Rev. Don Long will officiate. Burial will follow at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Memorials are suggested to the Bethalto United Methodist Church.