Melba Hornecker

Melba Ruth (Seratte) Hornecker, age 82 of Westville, Oklahoma passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Washington Regional Medical Center.

Visitation hours will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Westville, Oklahoma.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Westville, Oklahoma. Cremation will follow under the direction of the Roberts & Hart Funeral Home.

Melba was born September 16, 1940 in Summers, Arkansas to Finnis Edward Seratte and Margaret (Galbraith) Seratte Mapes. She grew up in Westville, Oklahoma and Wichita, Kansas. Graduating from Wichita North High School in 1958. Melba began working as a waitress and worked in Quality and Experimental for Beechcraft Airlines for 27 years. After her retirement Melba moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for 17 years before returning to Westville, Oklahoma five years ago. She loved spending time with her family and was usually found at the head of the kids table.  Everyone knew how to properly say her name (which is very close to how you sign happy, happy, happy, and she was very happy).  Melba held a special place in everyone’s heart that knew her and she had a place in her heart for everyone too.  She was a great example of love.

Survivors include five sisters Velma Reece, Sharon Faulkner, Glenda Cowell, Peggy Wood and Pat Scharff; 27 nieces and nephews; 48 great nieces and nephews and 30 great great nieces and nephews; and lots of cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents Finnis and Margaret; her step father Melvin; two brothers Ed Seratte and Frank Seratte; two sisters Floye Adkerson and Pauline Bolen. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Galbraith Scholarship Fund in Melba’s memory.