Extracted from The Jena Times (Jena, LA)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Melba Dean Poole

Melba Dean Poole, 75, of Jena, passed from this life on Monday, February 7, 2011, at her residence.

She was born October 29, 1935 in Jena to the union of her parents, Albert David and Ruby Leo Smith Bignar.

Mrs. Poole worked for Woodshaven Nursing Home at Pollock as dietary manager and loved gardening.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. Lester Johnson and Huey Tarpley officiating.

Interment followed in the Tidwell Cemetery near Nebo under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Virgil Ray Poole.

Survivors include three sons, David Ray Poole of Bridge City, TX, James Steven Poole of Baton Rouge, and Darron Glen Poole of Jena; one daughter, Dena Ray of Jena; a brother, Albert Doyle “Sonny” Bignar of Jena; three sisters, Neva Merl Bignar Tarpley of Pollock, Ruby Jerlene Johnson of Jonesville and Patricia Glen Bignar of Jena; ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Josh Poole, Mike Bignar, Wayne Johnson, James Cader, Shane Daily and James Roark.

Honorary pallbearers were Charles Roark, John Ducote, Jerod Ray, Cody Ray, Sonny Bignar and Jason Black.