Melba Mae Clanton was called home to her Lord and Savior on April 22, 2026, in Salina, Kansas, at the age of 91. Born on May 21, 1934, on the Sechrist family farm in Ada, Kansas, Melba lived a life rooted in faith, family, and a lot of laughter.

Melba was the daughter of Otto and Rosina (Stirn) Sechrist, and stepdaughter of Jack Ayers. Melba graduated with the Ada High School Class of 1952. After graduation, she married Bill Clanton and found her greatest calling, being a mother to her three treasured daughters. Their family home was always open for friends and family to drop by, always making time for the cousins. She enjoyed Easter egg hunts, barbecues, camping trips, and meals that brought everyone together. She especially enjoyed Christmas trips to Ada with her grandkids. Whatever she did, she did it with the whole of her heart, for the people she loved.

Melba’s faith was the foundation of everything. A devoted member of Salina First Church of the Nazarene, Melba loved Jesus, and that love showed up in the way she cared for people. She understood that walking in the ways of the Lord was not a Sunday practice, but a daily one. She collected cardinals, those little flashes of red that have long been a symbol of loved ones watching over us, and there is a quiet comfort in knowing she is now on the other side of that promise.

Melba was, without apology, a Kansas sports fan. She often dreamt of KU Basketball wins and losses under Coach Bill Self, and the Kansas City Chiefs held a special place in her heart. You could often hear her holler “Get rid of it” from the sidelines at her grandson’s high school football games, or while watching the Chiefs play on TV.

Melba is survived by her three daughters; Marva (Doug) Weller, Linda (Don) Grob, and Debi Yockey (Todd Nelson); grandchildren Shayna (Rob) Barbee, Michael (Joycelyn) Weller, Shannon (Sarah) Johnson, John Yockey, Shawna Yockey-Bryant (Greg Bryant), Rashell (Mike) Jaklevic, and U. S. Army SFC Thomas (Adrianna) Yockey; great-grandchildren Savanna, Makenna, Nathan, Andrew, Ryan, Addilyn, Harper, Grant, Mikayla, Kaden, JaiShawn, Gabriella, Kinsley and Christopher; sister Sandra (George) Powell; and sister-in-law June Sechrist.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather Jack Ayers; her siblings Gerald Sechrist, Curly Sechrist, Marva Gene Sechrist, and Gary Sechrist; and her niece Susan Powell.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 24 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 25 at 10:00 A.M., at the Antioch Baptist Church, Ada. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Ada. A luncheon will be held immediately following the graveside service at the Ada Community Center, where Melba would have absolutely insisted on feeding everyone one more time.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to the Ada Community Center and may be left in care of the funeral home.

“Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord.”  — Psalm 119:1