Melba Jane Tipton

Melba Louise (Jane) Earls Tipton was born at Caraway, Arkansas, on November 4, 1937, to Johnny Floyd and Edna Huskey Earls. She was a 1955 graduate of Bay High School and following graduation joined the U.S. Air Force. During active duty she married James (Jim) Tipton on September 16, 1957. They were the parents of four children. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son David Tipton, daughter Portland Tipton, son Allen Tipton and 2 brothers: Edward Earls and Johnny Earls.

She is survived by her daughter Vanessa Smith and husband John of Harrisburg; 3 grandchildren, Reanna Smith and John Tyler Smith of Harrisburg, and Angelia Yanez of Alaska; 3 great grandchildren; and 4 sisters, Sybil Pretz of Thayer, Missouri, Shirley Throgmorton of Ravenden, Barbara Knight and husband Ted of Conway, and Lin Rahrle and husband Bob of Jonesboro. Also surviving are many loving nieces and nephews.

Jane was a Christian and a member of the church of Christ.

Funeral services will be held at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Friday, May 26, at 10 a.m. with Ted Knight and Marty Knight officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral from 9 to 10 a.m.

A committal service will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 in Little Rock National Cemetery.