Melba Duplantis, 92, passed away on Saturday September 10, 2022 at the Advocates House. Melba would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received a call, a sort of an offer you can't refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Her spirit has been released from her worn out shell of a body and is now exploring the universe, alongside her beloved husband, Beau.
Melba Cochran (Duplantis) was born in Port Arthur Texas, graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School (where she was a majorette in the Red Hussar Drum and Bugle Corps) and spent her entire life in the Golden Triangle. She married her high school sweet-heart, Harris 'Beau' Duplantis Jr. during her senior
year and they enjoyed life together (except during his many hunting trips). While her three daughters were
little and in school, she was a stay-at-home mom driving the carpools and hauling them to dance lessons, Campfire Girls, and sports events. Then she went to work for Howard's Grocery and later worked the front desk for Drs. Marroquin and Jones. Once her girls were all out of school and on their own, she and her husband spent a good bit of time at their cabin in Crystal Beach, enjoying the clean air and their many
friends. Travel was usually close to home, as Melba refused to fly; that is, until her oldest daughter married, moved away and had the first grandchild. Then she jumped right on the plane like an old pro. Later visiting the same daughter and 2 grandsons in Guam and traveling to Korea and other nearby shopping meccas.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Escudier Cochran, her father, W. Chudleigh Cochran and her step-mother, Mattie Lou Davis Cochran, her husband, Harris J 'Beau' Duplantis Jr., her sister and friend, Alma Faulk and her 2 besties since kindergarten - Shirley Viola and Bernice Mingle.
She is survived by her daughters, Dana McComber (Melvin Monti 'Mac' McComber), Mauri Norris
(Richard Norris) and Eden (Edie) Simmons (Dale Simmons), 4 grandsons: Jeff McComber, Bill McComber (Denise McComber), Bryce Bishop (Candace Bishop) and Barret Bishop (Shawna Bishop), 4 great-grandsons: Boden McComber, Jace McComber, Ezra Bishop and Harris Bishop and 3 great-granddaughters: Kylie Vincent, Ella Bishop and Evelyn Shuff, as well as many other loved family members and friends.
Everyone who remembers her is asked to celebrate her life in their own way, raising a glass of their favorite drink in her memory would be quite appropriate. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
A gathering of family and friends for a visitation will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Melancon's Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas. A Memorial Service to honor the life of Melba will be held at Melancon's immediately following the visitation and will begin at 2:30 p.m.