Elston, Melba T. Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Melba T. Elston, age 107, went home to be with her Lord on July 19, 2022. She was surrounded by her family in her final days and passed away peacefully at her home in Richfield, Minnesota. Melba was born in 1915 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Calvin and Iola (Cornelius) Turner. She was the youngest of three sisters. She graduated from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, in 1940 with a B.S. in Education. Melba earned an M.S. in Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1956. Melba spent her entire career working as an educator, except for a time during World War II when she worked for the United States government. She worked in the Office of Dependent Benefits and in the Office of War Information. She married Joseph U. Elston, in 1943 in Lowell, Massachusetts. Their daughter, Eugenia, was born in New York, NY. Melba divorced Mr. Elston in 1959. Melba moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1956. Melba taught kindergarten and first grade at Farragut Elementary School in St. Louis, Missouri for 24 years, retiring in 1980. Melba made many friends at Farragut that remained dedicated to her throughout her life. Nothing was more important to Melba than her faith. Melba joined Berea Presbyterian Church in St. Louis in 1970 and became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis in 2002. She was active in Westminster's Women's Bible Study ("WOW") group for many years. Melba was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She has always been known to her grandchildren and great- grandchildren as "Baboo." The family wishes to thank the team at Allina Health Hospice for all of the care and assistance they provided during Melba's final months, in particular her dedicated care team: Julia, Jasmine, and Karla. Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Iola Turner, and her older sisters, Elsie Turner and Caldora Freeman. Melba leaves to treasure her memory her daughter, Eugenia Davis, who dutifully and lovingly cared for Melba in her home during her last years, as well as Eugenia's husband - Melba's faithful son-in-law - Louis B. Davis, Jr., grandchildren Melanie Davis, Meredith Davis Lang, and Matthew Davis, great-granddaughters Aubrey and Mia, and extended family, especially her cousin Sharon Norman. Melba's many friends in Minnesota, St. Louis, Missouri, and beyond have been of great support to the family. A Celebration of Life for Melba will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. The service will also be available via livestream (westminstermpls.org). A reception will follow.

Published on September 25, 2022