Individual Details
Melba Naomi Briles
(17 Feb 1923 - 18 May 2007)
Susan recalls that at some point Melba adopted two Spanish American children and recalls that they both were girls.
The above list of attendees also includes Derrick French and Darrell French as Darwood and Melba's grandsons, but it does not say which of their sons was the two boys' father.
In a letter from Winona Briles Brown (daughter of Melba's Uncle Wilbur) to Sara Briles Moriarty dated July 20, 1982, Winona reports that both Melba and her husband were at a Briles Family Reunion that took place in Italy, Texas, earlier that month, which seems to indicate that they both still alive as of that date. However, other sources say that they died in 1971 and 1970, respectively. Maybe Winona only meant to indicate that Melba and her husband had lived in Bryan, Texas, at the time of their deaths.
Melba Naomi Briles French Obituary
Date of Birth:
Saturday, February 17th, 1923 Date of Death:
Friday, May 18th, 2007 Funeral Home:
Callaway - Jones Funeral Home & Crematory www.callawayjones.com 3001 South College Ave. Bryan, Texas, UNITED STATES 77801 Obituary:
Melba Naomi Briles French
February 17, 1923-May 18, 2007
Melba Naomi French, 84, passed away in Bryan after a long illness. Funeral services will be held at her home church, First United Methodist, 506 E. 28th Street, Bryan at 2pm on Sunday, May 20, 2007. The Rev. Matt Idom and Rev. Bob Bray will be officiating. Burial will follow at the College Station Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband Darwood French in 1971.
Melba "Big Mama" French had 5 children; Gayle French and wife Merle of Bryan, Randy French and wife Cheryl of College Station, Jeff French and wife Valerie of Bryan, Melissa French of Atlanta, GA and Nina French of Houston. She had 9 grandchildren and 6 great grand children.
She founded and operated French's Schools for over 20 years where she was affectionately know by the kids as "Frenchie Momma". With a humble beginning in her home, the business grew with help of her devoted husband Darwood, to 5 commercial centers that served over 750 children per day. There are now hundreds of former students living in B-CS who felt her loving care. She also had numerous foster children as well as a large heart to help those in need.
The family ask that in lieu of flowers that a memorial donation be made to a charity that would be very close to her heart, Scotty's House (child advocacy center), 502 S. Coulter Bryan, TX 77803.
The above list of attendees also includes Derrick French and Darrell French as Darwood and Melba's grandsons, but it does not say which of their sons was the two boys' father.
In a letter from Winona Briles Brown (daughter of Melba's Uncle Wilbur) to Sara Briles Moriarty dated July 20, 1982, Winona reports that both Melba and her husband were at a Briles Family Reunion that took place in Italy, Texas, earlier that month, which seems to indicate that they both still alive as of that date. However, other sources say that they died in 1971 and 1970, respectively. Maybe Winona only meant to indicate that Melba and her husband had lived in Bryan, Texas, at the time of their deaths.
Melba Naomi Briles French Obituary
Date of Birth:
Saturday, February 17th, 1923 Date of Death:
Friday, May 18th, 2007 Funeral Home:
Callaway - Jones Funeral Home & Crematory www.callawayjones.com 3001 South College Ave. Bryan, Texas, UNITED STATES 77801 Obituary:
Melba Naomi Briles French
February 17, 1923-May 18, 2007
Melba Naomi French, 84, passed away in Bryan after a long illness. Funeral services will be held at her home church, First United Methodist, 506 E. 28th Street, Bryan at 2pm on Sunday, May 20, 2007. The Rev. Matt Idom and Rev. Bob Bray will be officiating. Burial will follow at the College Station Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband Darwood French in 1971.
Melba "Big Mama" French had 5 children; Gayle French and wife Merle of Bryan, Randy French and wife Cheryl of College Station, Jeff French and wife Valerie of Bryan, Melissa French of Atlanta, GA and Nina French of Houston. She had 9 grandchildren and 6 great grand children.
She founded and operated French's Schools for over 20 years where she was affectionately know by the kids as "Frenchie Momma". With a humble beginning in her home, the business grew with help of her devoted husband Darwood, to 5 commercial centers that served over 750 children per day. There are now hundreds of former students living in B-CS who felt her loving care. She also had numerous foster children as well as a large heart to help those in need.
The family ask that in lieu of flowers that a memorial donation be made to a charity that would be very close to her heart, Scotty's House (child advocacy center), 502 S. Coulter Bryan, TX 77803.
Events
| Birth | 17 Feb 1923 | Italy, Ellis County, Texas |  | ||
| Marriage | 2 Dec 1942 | Dallas - Darwood French | |||
| Death | 18 May 2007 | Bryan, Brazos County, Texas | | ||
| Burial | 20 May 2007 | College Station Cemetery, College Station, Brazos, Texas, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Darwood French (1924 - 1971) |
| Child | Gayle French (1945 - ) |
| Child | Randy French (1954 - ) |
| Child | Jeffrie French (1956 - ) |
| Father | Daniel Eli Briles III (1874 - 1940) |
| Mother | Mary Frances Johns (1885 - 1976) |
| Sibling | Earnestine Briles ( - ) |
| Sibling | Aline Briles (1909 - 1987) |
| Sibling | Johnnie Mildred Briles (1918 - 1919) |
| Sibling | Lela Francis Briles (1920 - 2001) |
| Sibling | Otis Briles , Sr. (1922 - 1975) |
| Sibling | Daniel Eli "Cotton" Briles IV (1924 - 1995) |
Endnotes
1. Original Briles Family Genealogy Information Collected by Worthie Elwood Briles, Susan Marie Briles Kniebes, Sara Jean Br.
2. SSI ( Social Security Index).
3. Neotribune Online-Death Notice.