The soul of Melba Sue Leymaster was released from its earthly body on the afternoon of Saturday, October 18, 2014. Her passing, at the age of 64, signaled the end of a two year struggle with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Whereas before, she saw the world as through a glass, darkly; now, she sees her Savior face to face. For she knew this world in part, but now she knows even as she was fully known by her heavenly Father.

Melba Sue was born to Donna and Emmett Elkins on November 22, 1949. Melba lived her entire life in Dixon, Missouri, attending local schools and working at the Brown Shoe factory in Dixon and at EDP Enterprises feeding troops at Fort Leonard Wood. Throughout Melba's life, her family and friends discovered that her fiery, red hair mirrored her feisty personality. Although everyone who knew her described her as quirky, they soon found that under her piercing, blue eyes lay a big, giving heart, ready to generously share with anybody who seemed in need. Although her life-long love was her horses, she also enjoyed her M&M's, soap operas, and western romance novels. Toward the end of her life, she loved to share her love for country gospel music and the Jesus that the music celebrated.

Melba Sue is survived by her husband, Quinton Leymaster of Dixon; her brother and sister, Chester Wooters and Ruby Smith, both of Dixon; her daughter and son, Malinda Cruey and Randy Robertson, both of Dixon. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A graveside service for Melba Sue Leymaster will be held for family and friends at the Dixon Cemetery on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the Waynesville Church of the Nazarene at 25850 Rocky Mount Lane, Waynesville, Missouri.