Melba Louise Blessing Boyle

Heaven received another "Blessing" at 3 p.m. on Tues., April 5, 2016 when Melba Louise Blessing Boyle, age 91, ascended into the arms of Jesus after about four months of decreasing health, followed by three days at Columbus Hospice. Homegoing services were held on Sat., April 9, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Ga. 31907 with Pastor Billy Duncan and Rev. David B. Tew officiating. A private interment was held at Parkhill Cemetery. Visitation was held on Fri., April 8, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Music came early to the Blessing family. Melba started singing in the Children's Choir at her church, First Nazarene of Little Rock, when she was six years old. Melba started taking piano lessons at age ten. She sang with a girls trio, that traveled and sang for revival meetings in the state of Arkansas. Melba started playing for Southern Gospel Quartets when she was fifteen years old. She was a member of the Southern Gospel Convention of Little Rock. Melba retained her sharp mind until her final two days of life on Earth, as she related stories of her Arkansas family's history, along with her early days of singing in a trio, playing piano for Gospel groups on radio programs, meeting her future husband, Bill, a quartet singer, and future soldier and traveling the globe with him and their children throughout the USA and Europe. Melba and Bill served as musicians wherever they were stationed, but in Columbus, they served Eastwood Baptist for 30+ years, and at Beallwood Baptist for their final three years. Melba lost her piano skills to arthritis at about age 85, but music was always in her heart, and many songfests occurred with friends and family singing out of the "red book," with her playing hymns and gospel in her unique style. She also had a beautiful tenor voice for duets. Melba was born on Oct. 11, 1924 in Holland, Ark. to the late Andrew Dewey and Orpha Anderson Blessing. She was also predeceased by her husband, Bill Boyle, her brother Kenneth Blessing, her youngest daughter, Sarah Ellen Boyle Ogletree, and a son-in-law, Ray Foreman. Melba is mourned by a surviving brother, Donald Blessing (Mary), children Mildred Foreman, Kay Wallace (Glenn), Robert Boyle (Zandra), William Richard Boyle (Donna), grandchildren, Suzie Foreman Seaman (Todd), Julie Foreman, Scott Wallace (Kat), Don Wallace (Rebecca), Jennifer Boyle Allen (Chris), William Samuel Boyle (Sara-Jane), Andrew Owen Boyle, and great-grandchildren, Daniel DeFranceschi (Madison), Andrew Curtis Foreman, Kacie Marie Foreman, Kaylee Sue Wallace, William Paul Wallace, William Grant "Billy" Wallace, Anna Kathryn Wallace, and Ella Kalani Hardy. Melba is also survived by a special Niece, Bari Blessing Nahas, a special great Nephew, Nick Nahas, a special neighbor, Betty Harden, the loving Eshmann family and many other friends and relatives. The family would like to thank Ultra Home Care for all of their love and help, and all of the Angels (Nurses and Doctors) at Columbus Hospice, Moon Road. Please send any donations to Beallwood Baptist Church 4650 Veterans Parkway Columbus, Ga. 31904 or Columbus Hospice 7020 Moon Rd. Columbus, Ga. 31909 www.columbushospice.com. Those who wish may sign the on-line guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.