Melba June Connally, of Fountain Valley, California, passed away on November 26, 2022.
 
 

Melba was born in Canadian, Texas on October 16, 1936, to Maxie Clay Renfro and Anna Mae (Atkinson) Renfro.  She attended Alpaugh High School and Orange Coast College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education.  She worked as a consultant for Grolier Publishing Company and taught puppetry and early childhood education courses at Orange Coast College and Coastline Community College.  
 
 

She was well-known throughout Orange County as the puppeteer, "Miss Melba."  She was a member of "Puppeteers of America," and frequently gave demonstrations and workshops for hospitals, churches, the Association of Christian Schools, Inc., and the Pre-School Association of America.  She created her puppets and was a popular performer at parties and schools.
 
 

Melba enjoyed cooking, reading, art, listening to gospel music, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was an active member of CrossPoint Baptist Church, where she enjoyed creating elaborately decorated cards of encouragement and sympathy that she sent to church members.
 
 

Melba is survived by her son, Michael W. Connally, daughter, Anna Ellery Baker, her sister, Janetta Gilmore, grandchildren Steven Connally, Lisa Stephens, Amber Shultz, Treisa Ellery, Bradley Ellery, and Shianne Ellery, and six great-grandchildren, Sarah Stephens, Poema Stephens, Joy Stephens, Rachel Ledbetter, James Shultz, and Penny Shultz.  She was predeceased by her husband, Jack Walton Connally, her sister, Luberta McElroy, and her great-grandson, Ethen Ledbetter.