Melba Vonn Emptage

Melba Vonn Green was born at home in Woodbury, TN in 1946 to Oscar Cecil and Thelma Ruth Green and 1 of 11 children. She grew up on a farm near the banks of the Stones River and Readyville, TN. Her favorite thing to do as a child was swimming in the river with her siblings and staying on the riverbank as much as possible. She was baptized in the southern Baptist church in the very same river.

In the 9th grade, Melba moved to Woodbury Township to live with her sister Ruby because she wanted to have a job and be closer to her high school, where she was a basketball athlete and broke the hearts of young men. Upon graduating Woodbury Central High School, she wanted to join the US Air Force, however, her father disapproved.

Melba moved to Nashville, TN with a girlfriend from high school. She began working in accounting at a record company and later at a car dealership. She had her first son, Jeffery Craiton Winfrey in 1966 (d. 1986). She relocated to Los Angeles, CA in 1970 and continued working in accounting. She gave birth to her first daughter Rhonda Lorraine Sayers in 1972.

She married the love her life Harry LeRoy Emptage (d.1990) and lived the happiest times of her life in East Los Angeles. Melba and Harry loved to travel by car. There were many adventures of driving to the east coast and back visiting many states, national landmarks, and Canada. One of her favorite trips was an Alaskan Cruise.

Melba was an active member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. She served as church treasurer for many years at St. John's Lutheran Church, Montebello where her children went to school, were baptized, and confirmed. Her faith included believing in Jesus as her Savior and that salvation is by grace through faith (sola fide). She read her devotions and Bible daily.

Melba was a survivor of breast cancer, which shows her strength and courage. She began to feel pain in her lower back in October 2024. This pain led to the discovery of lung cancer that had spread to the spine. Upon this discovery, she underwent 2 spinal surgeries in January 2025. With the pain unbearable and stage 4 cancer, she made the brave decision to spend her last days at home surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She took her last breath on 03/01/2025 at 10:02 pm. and went to heaven.

Melba is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Wood-Krause, three sisters, Betty Ann Grisson, Joyce Faye Burns, and Peggy Elaine Sain. She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, Roderick Winfield Hance, Jennifer Kanani Alvarez, Melissa Kristin Legard, Weston Jeffery Wood, and Keegan Levi Wood. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Her favorite sayings were "just peachy" and "the Lord willing". Her favorite beer was Budweiser. She loved to snack on chocolate and peanuts. Her favorite singers were Willie Nelson, the Eagles, Ed Sheeran, and Rod Stewart, but her ultimate favorite was Elvis, who she got to see in Las Vegas!