Melba Louise Bailey (nee James) was born in Pemiscot County, Missouri, probably in the town of Denton, in 1930 to Cavitt and Ollie James (nee Lester), the fifth of seven children. On June 8, 1950, she married Cloys Derius Bailey and remained devoted to him until his death in 2014.

Melba was a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, for 70 years and a regular and active member of the Church of Christ, beginning at the Kimball Avenue congregation until the mid-'70s (relocated to Quince Road), and thereafter at White Station Church of Christ until Cloys' failing health kept her mostly homebound. She lived in East Memphis' Colonial Acres from 1966 to 2014, where many of her neighbors remember her fondly.

Melba received her master's degree from the University of Memphis in 1972 and worked for the West Memphis School District as an elementary school librarian after graduation until her retirement.

She is survived by two children, Belinda (Stormy) Bailey and William (Bill) Bailey, four grandchildren, Rachel Bates, Brooke Helms, Nathan Bailey and Patrick Bailey, and six great-grandchildren, Elijah Bates, Harper Helms, Avery Bailey, Atlas Bailey, and Ollie Helms. Her great-granddaughter, Breckin Helms, predeceased her in 2019.

A brief memorial visitation will be held at High Point Funeral Home in Memphis on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, from 2:30-3:30 pm. A private interment will be at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery next to her beloved husband.