Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Melba Carter Yancy Kane of Bluff Park, Alabama passed away surrounded by her three daughters August 26, 2024. She was 88.
Melba was born in Cullman, daughter of Andrew Paul and Vennie Ree Carter. She grew up on the family farm with her parents, her sisters and brother but yearned for the city life.
Melba spent fifty years in the Automobile Industry. Owning her own business as well as working for others. She spent the last thirty plus years with Susan Schein Automotive.
Melba led by example, enriching and inspiring countless lives of those she knew. Her unwavering love for her family and friends will live on in our hearts forever.
Melba attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood and loved spending time with her Cartwright Class at church and hosting them on Lake Guntersville and her home on Shades Mountain. The Robin’s Nest was a gathering place for so many… her door was always open whether it was sitting on the front porch or having her famous banana nut bread or pudding around the kitchen table.
Melba loved to entertain and played host to many… Bluff Park Historical Society Linger Longer Spring Fling, church socials, college a cappella groups, company parties and most memorably her annual Christmas parties where friends and family gathered for a feast and sang Christmas Carols around the piano.
When Melba was young she spent countless hours at her Singer sewing machine designing and creating the prettiest dresses for her three girls… sometimes three piece ensembles. After her children were grown, she looked for another creative outlet. Though she continued her passion for selling cars, always calling at day’s end to ask “How many did we sell today?” Melba began buying, remodeling and selling homes. She had a keen eye for architecture and design. Melba loved all things pretty.
She loved to read, was an ace at Wheel of Fortune and a big fan of The Voice and American Idol which she watched with her sister, Nelda and her dear friend, Carolyn.
She is survived by her three daughters, Melinda (Richard Naum) Nicholson of Charleston SC, Kathy (Danny Malone) Ramsey of Arab, Penny (Kenneth) Thomas of Baileyton. Six grandchildren Allison Craft of Holly Pond, Wesley (Julie) Thomas of Somerville, Jedidiah (Amber) Thomas of Cullman, Danielle (TJ) Latham of Joppa, Alexander Thomas of Cullman and Witt (Sophia) Nicholson of Brooklyn, NY. 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
She is also survived by her three sisters, Nelda Pepper, Dean Weaver and Kaye Hilton all of Cullman, one brother Paul (LaRue) Carter of Birmingham, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Melba was preceded by her parents, husband, Dolon Yancy and husband Bob Kane and two sons-in-law, Perry Ramsey and Dennis Nicholson.
The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to the staff at Shepherd’s Cove Hospice.
Funeral services for Melba will be held Friday August 30, 2024 at 2 p.m. in the Moss Service Funeral chapel, with interment to follow at Cullman City Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Reception at All Steak Restaurant from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Family will receive friends for a visitation Thursday August 29, 2024 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Moss Service Funeral Home directing.
Donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist (https://tumcbham.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/fa8aa991-2a54-4986-9f4d-e938a9910df5),
and Shepherd’s Cove Hospice (https://www.classy.org/give/591944/#!/donation/checkout).
Moss Service Funeral Home: 1901 2nd Ave NW Cullman, AL 35055
Cullman City Cemetery: 9th St SW, Cullman, AL 35055
All Steak Restaurant: 323 3rd Ave SE, Cullman, AL 35055.
