Melba Lee Dobbs

Melba Lee Cunningham was born at home on the family farm in Woodbine, Texas, on October 19, 1936. She departed this world on September 10, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Melba was born to Ernest Lee and Billie Bess Cunningham. She attended schools in Woodbine and Gainesville. At the age of 16, she met the love of her life, Billy Dobbs, on a blind double date arranged by a friend. They married on March 28, 1953, at the Baptist Church in Sadler. In the early years of their marriage, Bill’s work in the oil fields took them on many moves. Together, they welcomed their first child, Gary Randall Dobbs, in 1954, followed by their second child, Debra Ann Dobbs, in 1956.

In 1962, Melba attended cosmetology school in Sherman, Texas, and worked as a hairdresser for many years. She was quite particular about how hair should look, and she took great pride in her work.

Bill and Melba eventually moved to Woodbine, then Walnut Bend, where they settled on a dairy farm. In 1970, they welcomed their third child, Jeanna Thornton Peters. In 1973, they made their final move to their homestead, where they lived until Bill’s passing.

Melba was the matriarch of her family, and there was truly nothing she could not do. She was an accomplished seamstress and cherished the sewing machine Bill gave her for Christmas. With or without a pattern, there was hardly anything she couldn’t create. Her talent and creativity extended far beyond sewing. In the mid-to-late 1970s, she began baking and decorating wedding cakes, which became true works of art. She continued sharing her gift for baking and decorating throughout the years, including making birthday cakes for church members each month until this year.

Melba never needed a manual to learn something new. She simply figured it out through trial and error—although she never admitted to the errors. She taught herself carpentry and built many additions to the cabinets in her sewing room and throughout the house. She once asked for a station wagon so she could haul things from McCoy’s, Foxworth-Galbraith, and the many other places she frequented.

She took great pride in being a mother and homemaker, and she excelled in both roles. From being a sports mom to a PTA mom, she did it all with grace and dedication. The family home was always open to her children’s friends, and there was always room for one more around her table.

Melba’s legacy was simple: she never said, “I can’t.” She believed she could figure out any situation and overcome any obstacle. She was the epitome of a gracious hostess, always having a dessert waiting for you and always finding ways to make others feel welcome. Throughout her life, she performed countless acts of kindness, many of them anonymously. She often said, “But by the grace of God go I,” and she lived those words by helping those who needed it.

Melba loved the Lord and was of the Baptist faith. She had a way of keeping her family in line with nothing more than a look. A glance toward a child or grandchild sitting in the pew was often all it took to put an end to any kind of tomfoolery.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 42 years, Billy Dobbs; and her siblings, Hazel Perry and Billy Ward Cunningham. Melba also mourned the loss of many lifelong friends from her school years, friendships she cherished throughout her life.

She is survived by her children, Randy Dobbs of Olney, Debra Dobbs of Gainesville, and Jeanna Peters and husband Kevin of Howe; her grandchildren, Roudy Eberhart, Brandon Dobbs and wife Lauren, Amanda Salas and husband Bidal, Jacob Thornton, Paige Bassoli and husband Lucas, Reed Thornton, and Sam Thornton; her great-grandchildren, Molli Eberhart, Abbie Byrom and husband Josh, Kaylee, Hydee, Haggen Salas, Levi, and Braeden Dobbs; her sister-in-law, Carol Dobbs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Scottish Rite, at https://secure3.convio.net/tsrh/site/Donation;  to Family Promise of Grayson County, 901 E. Houston, Sherman, Texas 75090, or a charity of your choice.

Funeral services honoring Melba will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home in Whitesboro, officiated by Rev. Rick Carney.  Interment to follow at Oakwood Cemetery.  A time of visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

We will forever miss her stories, her phone calls, her smile, the meals shared around her table, her homemade gifts and projects, and the love she so freely shared with our family. Her strength, creativity, kindness, and unwavering faith will remain a part of us forever.