Melbalene “Melba” Hanners, 87, of Groves passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019 at her home in Groves.

She was born on April 20, 2019 to her parents, Franklin Ferguson Johnson and Mary Bell Freeman Johnson  in Port Arthur, Texas. Melba was a lifelong resident of the Port Arthur/Groves area. She worked as a Bar Manger at several establishments for over 45 years. Melba was a member of the First Church of God in Port Arthur.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, Rosemary Yeager and Aggie Thompson, her brother, August Kasier, her son,  Kyle Gavard.

She is survived by her daughter, Gabby Hanners Courville and husband, Tiger of Port Arthur, her five sons, Kevin Thibeault and wife, Cindy Bolt of Groves, Guy Thibeault and wife, Alice of Nederalnd, Brian Gavard of Sabine Pass, Chad Finch and wife, Alison of Kingwood, Brian Hanners and wife, Aimee of Killeen, 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren along with her dog, Patches.

A memorial service to honor Melba’s life will be at 3:00 PM Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the First Church of God in Port Arthur. Arrangements for cremation are entrusted to Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors in Groves.