Melba Farris

Melba Joyce Rayfield Farris, 71, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon. She was a graduate of Bradley Central High School and attended Cleveland State Community College. She was a licensed auctioneer and held a membership in the Tennessee Auctioneer Association and also the National Auctioneer Association. She was retired from the USDA Forest Service. She attended Hopewell Church of God and was the oldest living member. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Roland E. (Gene) Farris; parents, Rev. George and Inez Ingram Rayfield; and brother, Ronald Rayfield. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Ladonya and Greg Martineaux and Lacondra and Shane Hartline, all of Chattanooga; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Jerry Millwood officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony and bagpipes concluding the service. Her family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Farris family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.