Melba Jo Powers

Melba Jo (Faulkenberry) Powers, 87, died peacefully in her Biloxi, MS, home on May 20, 2023.

Melba was born on January 27, 1936 in Bowie, TX, to Holly and Lola Faulkenberry.  Following her mother Lola’s death, Holly remarried and Zella became a mother to Melba.  She married Joseph Powers in 1953.  She was a homemaker, military wife and co-business owner with her husband Joe for many years when they owned a local car rental agency, a refrigerator rental company, and an apartment complex in Biloxi.

Melba was an active member of the Rodenberg Avenue Church of Christ where she attended faithfully since 1973. Melba and Joe enjoyed traveling the world and visited all 50 states. Melba and Joe were truly a team and this was definitely shown by their community recovery efforts following hurricane Katrina. She will be remembered by her family, her church and her friends as a woman of great faith, love, and generosity who was always willing to help and serve others. Melba was a shining example who loved God and shared her faith through acts of love and kindness.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; and her sons, Ray Keith and Michael Sha who died in infancy.

Melba is survived by her daughter, Brenda Kay Pugh and her husband, Terry of D'Iberville, MS; her sons, Victor Allen Powers and his wife, Vicki of Norfolk, VA, and Billy Joe Powers and his wife, Melody of Dover, FL. In addition, she is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 9am-10am at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. Service will begin at 10am. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Melba Jo (Faulkenberry) Powers.