Melba Belle McMahan

Melba Belle Harrell McMahan, 88, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on November 4, 2024 at Cypress Pond Assisted Living Center in Tifton Georgia. Born on July 8, 1936, in Colquitt County, Georgia.  

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Leila Church with Rev. Joseph Carter officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Albritton Funeral Directors.  

Shane Powell, David McMahan, Sean McMahan, Philip Smith, David McCoy and Brandon Brown will serve as pallbearers.  

Melba was a dedicated and loving wife to her husband, William "Bill" Richard McMahan, who preceded her in death on October 26, 2020. Their marriage spanned sixty-two beautiful years, filled with mutual love and respect. Together, they created a welcoming home and built a life that revolved around family and community. 

A proud graduate of Norman Park High School, Melba pursued various careers, but none brought her as much joy as being a homemaker. She also contributed her skills as an insurance clerk for the Visiting Nurses Association, showcasing her commitment to helping others. The McMahan family moved to Tifton in 1972, where Bill established McMahan Service Company, a heating and cooling business.

 Melba found great fulfillment in her hobbies. She enjoyed fresh water fishing, dancing, and showcasing her culinary talents by cooking for family gatherings. One of her cherished pastimes was taking walks, where she found serenity in nature and enjoyed the world around her. 

Her church communities, Mt. Calvary Methodist and Trinity Methodist, were significant parts of her life where she made lasting friendships and memories. 

Melba leaves behind a loving family, including her son, Scott McMahan of Warwick; her daughter and son-in-law, Shari and Lyn Powell of Tifton; and her grandchildren, Lauren Duncan, Sean McMahan, Brandon and Brittany Powell, Shane and Brooke Powell, Lacey and Phillip Smith, Mandy Brown, Haley and Josh Davidson, David and Kayla McMahan, and Faith Powell. She also is survived by nineteen great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy and pride. 

In addition to her many living relatives, Melba is reunited in spirit with those who passed before her, including her son, William Patrick "Pat" McMahan, who died on July 16, 2001; her granddaughter, Brandy McMahan; her daughter-in-law, Donna McCray McMahan; her grandson, Andrew Holden Powell; her parents, William and Carrie Belle Colvin Harrell; her brothers, George M. Harrell and Frank Harrell; and her sisters, Nadine Crawley and Anna Laura "PeeWee" Kitchens. 

In lieu of flowers, make donations to Mt. Calvary Methodist Church, PO Box 1913, Tifton, Ga. 31793.

 Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.