Melba Richter

Melba Lee Richter passed away November 14, 2022. She was born February 23, 1930, in Buffalo, Texas, to Fannie Lee and Robert E. Hood. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1947. In 1960 she met the love of her life, Leroy Richter. They were married January 1961 in Calvert, Texas, and they settled in Flatonia, Texas, becoming lifelong partners in their marriage, family and business.

She had her own beauty shop for a number of years but after she and Leroy started their business, Richter Well Drilling, she dedicated herself to it and they built the successful company from the ground up while raising five children. She spent her retirement years caring for her husband and enjoying her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She enjoyed doing embroidery work and did quilts for each of her children while in retirement. She was also a talented seamstress and during their childhood made many frocks for her daughters. She was well known by her family for her good, southern cooking.  She was also a lifelong learner, graduating High School and continuing to take computer classes in her later years.  She spent her last days at home in Flatonia, Texas, with her family caring for her.

Melba is survived by daughters Teresa Whaley, Pamela Whaley, and Donna Whaley; stepsons Robert Richter and Roy Richter; grandchildren Tammye McBride, Justin McBride, Donald Crozier, Wallace Cherry, Keitha Marrs, Judd Richter, Bryan Richter and Farrah Cordes; great grandchildren Macey Hines, Sara Rodriguez, Kaylee Mladenka, Saxon McBride-Nieto, Dillon Crozier, Grayson Crozier, Aubree Crozier, Adeline Cherry, Will Cherry, Sofia Cherry, Savannah Richter, Bowie Richter, Cwoozie Richter, Whimzie Richter, and Zoomie Richter; and great great grandchildren Channing Hyatt, Bella Rodriguez and Sebastian Rodriguez. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, husband Leroy Richter, brother Darrell Connell and sister Moda Strickland.

Visitation for Melba will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia, Tx.  Funeral service will be on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Flatonia Baptist Church in Flatonia, Tx and burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Flatonia, Tx.

Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.smithfuneraltx.com

Smith Funeral Home – 128 East 5th Street. Flatonia, TX 78941                   Phone #361-865-3311