Melba J. Estep, 84, of Alkol, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 2, 2005 at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston.
Melba was known for her singing at church. In the late 1940’s, she first sang with the Linville Quartet, consisting of Melba and her brothers, Ford, Clarkie and Jim Linville. She later sang with the Cooper Family, a group she helped form with her sister and brother-in-law Fred and Helena Cooper, the group was later renamed Saved by Grace. In the later years she sang with her brother Gary and Jim Linville and her sister Helena Cooper, they mostly sang at funerals, including Helena’s funeral in 1997.
She was a member of the Left Fork Church, Alkol.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Collie Estep, Jr.; parents, Sesco and Icy Linville; stepmother, Mary Peter Linville; two brothers, Ford and Clarkie Linville; three sisters, Bessie Linville, Reba Phipps and Helena Cooper.
She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Ronnie and Christy Linville of Alkol, Bobby and Jan Estep of Tornado; two daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Mike Vickers of Alkol, Drema and Donnie Midkiffof Griffithsville; two sisters, Odessa Holley ofJulian, Nellie Keen ofAlkol, four brothers, Gary and Jimmy Linville of Griffithsville, Direamous Linville of Alkol, Doug Linville of Chazlotte, Michigan; nine grandchildren and spouses, Ronna and Chris McCallister, Jamie and Kim Linville, Joey and Susan Estep, DeAnna Cooper, Karrie and Chad Newsome, Robbie Estep, Rachelle Estep, Danielle Cooper, P.J. and Kasey Vickers; 11 great grandchildren, Alli, Austin, Brandi, Hannah, Tanner, Abbi, Jayden, Logan, Jeremiah, Josie and Jessi.
Services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Randal Kinder and Rev. Arthur Hensley officiating. Burial will held in Egnor Cemetery, Bulger. Friends may call on Monday from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.