Melba Jo Hughes-Travis

October 4, 1922 - June 1, 2022

Melba Jo Hughes-Travis, 99 and ½, beloved wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, educator, and friend to many passed peacefully on June 1, 2022. Jo was a longtime resident of Houston, Texas, but also lived in Austin and Dallas, Florida, South Carolina, Lake Charles and Shreveport, Louisiana. She was born in Groveton, Texas on October 4, 1922, to Charles Ellis Gantt and Effie Quay Dossey Gantt. She is preceded in death by her loving husbands Jack Eugene Hughes and Arthur Henry Travis, sisters Anna Mae Burt, Arlie Ray Gantt and Martha Sendt, brothers Oscar Ray Gantt and John Charles Gantt, son Jack Eugene Hughes, Jr., daughter Carolyn Hughes, niece Sonia Pickett, stepson Jason Travis and stepdaughter Kay Hubach. She is survived by her daughter Georgia Leigh Hughes and son Charles Gantt Hughes, grandchildren Travis Olson Hughes and wife Adele Rehm, Laura Anne Hughes and Emily Elizabeth Hughes, great-grandson Henry Hughes, stepchildren Stuart Travis and wife Janet Travis, step-daughter-in-law Danielle Travis, step-grandchildren Jim Smith, Bill Smith, Dean Smith, and Mark Smith, Jennifer Groll and husband Jordan Groll, Jessica Travis, Emily Howard and husband Jason Howard, Justin Travis and wife Vidya Travis, step-great-grandchildren Nolan Groll, Madelyn Groll, Jude Howard, Penelope Howard, Eleanor Howard, and Pradyumna Travis, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Jo was educated in the public schools of Groveton, Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin. Jo was a proud member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church for 58 years and once served several years as Director of the School for Little People. She had a special place in her heart for children and enjoyed watching them learn and develop into adults. She is forever grateful to the United Methodist Church for the many educational opportunities which the Church afforded her. Jo devoted many hours to children with special needs, patients with Alzheimer’s and was a Stephen minister. Jo cherished her relationships with family and her many friends and stayed in touch with them all regularly, including two of her best friends from Groveton High School until their passing. She participated in bible studies, book clubs, and bridge games with loving friends. Her grandchildren all loved her dearly and some of them called her their earth angel. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday June 10, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, with the Reverend James McPhail presiding. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jo’s honor to Memorial Drive United Methodist Church Caring-Forever Fund, the Joy Group for Adults with Special Needs at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.