Melba Jean Oates age 85, of Benton passed away on Friday, August 29, 2025. She was born December 3, 1939 in Onyx, Arkansas. Melba was a retired secretary and a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Mitchell Terry and Judy Keener Terry, her husband, John C. Oates.

Survivors, daughters and sons-in-law, MellaDeane (Wesley) Evans, Penny Gail (Steven) Bass, sister, Wanda Lawrence, four grandchildren, Tyler (Lynn) Bass, Emily (Jonathan) Bass, Jennifer Tracy and Rachael Evans, four great-grandchildren, Ava Tracy, Channing Tracy, Lorelei Bass and Beverly Kuykendall.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, September 5, 2025 at Ashby Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, September 6, at Macedonia Cemetery in Danville, AR.

Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com