Melba Dawkins Spatzer

Melba Dawkins Spatzer, 92, of Gulfport, MS, passed away, August 28, 2009, at home with family by her side.
She was born to Pinkney Read and Robert L. Dawkins of Jasper County, MS, July 26, 1917. She graduated from Montrose High in 1937 and attended Jones County Community College in Ellisville, where she played basketball.
Melba married TSgt. (Ret.) Thomas Joseph Spatzer I, in Jackson, under a railroad bridge after typing her own marriage license. She and her family lived numerous places, including overseas, before moving to Gulfport in 1965. She and her family have been charter members of Ramsay Memorial United Methodist Church of Gulfport since 1971.
Melba was a clerk-typist at Keesler AFB from 1965 to 1979. After retiring she was able to enjoy being a grandmother. She also enjoyed macramé, decoupage, quilting, sewing, knitting, family vacations, camping, and fishing. Melba devoted most of her life to her handicapped son, Richard aÌ‚â‚Å“Dickâ₝ Spatzer.
Melba was a kind hearted, Christian, loving, caring, patient, nurturing sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Thomas Joseph Spatzer I, one son, Richard aÌ‚â‚Å“Dickâ₝ Vincent Spatzer, Gulfport, one brother, Robert Daryal Dawkins, Gautier.
She is survived by one sister, Maxine (Bill) Spalding, Gulfport, one son, Thomas aÌ‚â‚Å“Butchâ₝ Joseph (Yvonne) Spatzer II, Grand Bay, AL, and one daughter, Melanie Spatzer, Gulfport, five granddaughters, Joyce (Wayne) Dykes, Eight Mile, AL, Dawn Spatzer, Vancleave, Regina Spatzer, Eight Mile, AL, Melissa (Reggie) Peterman, Gulfport, Mandy (Spencer) Watts, Gulfport, 13 great-grandchildren, Robert, Nathan, Sydney, Kyra, Tiffany, Olivia, Douglas, Philip, Daniel, John, Alexus, Justis, and Chloe, and one great-great granddaughter, Kali; two nieces, a nephew, numerous cousins, friends and one very special 18 year old cat named aÌ‚â‚Å“BooaÌ‚â‚Å“.
The family would like to thank the staff of Lemoyne Place Assisted Living Center, the caring nurses of Camellia Hospice, Pastors Doug Reid, Kelly Pope, and Randy Owen.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Gulf Pines Cemetery in Long Beach.
For more information, please call (228)539-9800.