Melba Jean Gann was one of 9 siblings with parents, Finis Ermon & Lela Cooper. She was born on September 17, 1928, in Franklin, Arkansas (Izard County) and she passed from this life to her heavenly home around 10:15 pm on October 4, 2026 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, AR. Most of her 98 years were spent here in Jonesboro with a few short years in Michigan City, IN, Harrison, AR & Olive Branch, MS. She was married to the love of her life, Lawrence Vincent Gann, for 72 years. They had three children together: Larry (Wanda) Gann from Yellville, AR, Brenda (Danny) Easter from Olive Branch, MS, and Eddie (Nilah) Gann from Rock Hill, SC.

Melba had 8 grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Allison (Jerry) Barlar, Ashland City, TN; Andrea (Barry) Pope, Olive Branch, MS; Elizabeth Smith, Batesville, AR; Kimberly (Jeremy) Ellis, Yellville, AR; Rhona Rubio, Miami, FL; Farrah (Kip) Barrier, Biloxi, MS; Riley (Shelby) Gann, Portland, OR; Gabriel (Ezara) Easter, Cork, Ireland; plus 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grands.

Melba was proceeded in death by her parents; F. E. & Lela Cooper, her siblings; Armelda Watts, Rhea Sharp, Maxine Morgan, Maurice Cooper & her loving husband, Lawrence.

She has four sisters that she adored, who live in Jonesboro, AR;

Billie Lewallen, Bonnie Doty, Joan Mahan, Gail Grady, along with many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026 starting at 11 am at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home Chapel with Eddie Gann officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 am. Burial will take place in Nettleton Cemetery.