Melba Fulkerson

 Melba M. (Vaughan) Fulkerson of Carmi, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2023, at The Villas of Holly Brook Reflections Memory Care Unit  in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  She was born on September 14, 1930, in Overland, Missouri, the daughter of Gleason and Mary Ellen (Wallace) Vaughan.  Melba married Allen Fulkerson on August 11, 1949, and he preceded her in death on December 6, 1992.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church.  Melba was also active in the White County 4-H, 55 and Alive at church, a member of the Mill Shoals Ruritan, and served on the White County Memorial Garden board. She started the Carmi Red Hat Jazzy Ladies, and was a member of the Democrat Ladies. Melba was an avid quilter and gardener. She loved growing and tending to flowers and was a very good at playing cards.

      Melba is survived by her four daughters, Brenda (Mike) Pfister of McLeansboro, IL, Linda (Ernie) Bingman of Carmi, IL., Debra (Ted) Broyles of McLeansboro, IL., and Becky Downs of Grayville, IL; four grandchildren, Katrina (Dean) Roberson, Wendy (Billy) Glenn,  Robert (Destiny) Hutchinson, and Nancy (Aaron Weber) Robinson; six step grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild on the way; and two siblings, Lloyd (Teressa) Vaughan of Burnt Prairie, IL, and Barbara Wagner of Springfield, IL. In addition to her husband, Allen Fulkerson, Melba is preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Scott Etienne; one great-grandson, Willard B Weber;  two son-in-laws, David Downs and Willard Robinson; three siblings, Arnold Vaughan and two infants. The family would like to say thank you to the former and present staff at The Villas of Holly Brook, Reflections Memory Care, for their care during Melba's end of life.

     Funeral services for Melba Fulkerson will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi,  with burial at White County Memorial Garden in Carmi. Family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Melba's memory to the Alzheimer's Association and will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi, who is in charge of arrangements.