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Melba Jean Upshaw Kromberg

Melba Jean Upshaw Kromberg, 87 years, 9 months, and 27 days old, passed to Heaven on Feb. 19, 2016 at her home in Fresno, Calif., with her son, Jason, and daughter, Wanda, by her side.

Melba was born April 23, 1928 in Rockbridge, Mo., to John and Esther (Brown) Edwards.

Melba and Fate Upshaw were united in marriage in 1946 in Evans, Mo.

She was a homemaker and a Christian. She enjoyed quilting, embroidering, cooking, visiting her family in Missouri and most of all being with her kids and grandkids.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Francis Upshaw, a brother, Claude Edwards, and a grandson, Randal Freeman.

Melba is survived by her children, Eugene Freeman and wife, Sharon, Kansas City, Mo., Lonnie Joe Upshaw and wife, Florence, Springfield, Mo., Darlene Heath and husband, Dwight, Ava, Mo., Jason Upshaw, Fresno, Calif., Wanda Ferguson, Clovis, Calif., and Mary Varela and husband, Jack, Fresno, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Dorman Edwards and wife, Georgia, Mtn. Grove, Mo.; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Melba will be Saturday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m., in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Mo., with burial in the Souder Cemetery, Wasola, Mo. Visitation will be Saturday from 1 p.m. to service time in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn. Memorials may be made to Souder Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.