Melba Peace Palarino of Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Greenhurst Nursing Center in Charleston. She was born on April 29, 1923, in Charleston to the late Ira Edward Rice and Rhue (Edwards) Rice. She was 99 years old. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandi Roscoe; a granddaughter, Natalee Abbott; a grandson, Bill Barker; three sisters, Grace King, Esthel Houser, and Vera Hutchins; and five brothers, Clyde, Earl, Arvel, Marion, and William Rice.

Melba was a retired florist for Smith Mortuary and Flower Shop in Charleston. In Melba's early years, she was a restaurant owner and a cook. Along with her husband Angelo, they developed three properties, where they built houses and ponds. She also loved to travel the U.S. and spend winter months in Florida. Melba was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church in Charleston.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2nd at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, with Bro. Richard Shotzman and Bro. Jeff Holland officiating. Services are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Angelo Palarino; two daughters, Francis Barker and Gloria Jones, both of Charleston; a son, Roy "Butch" Jones and Cherrie of Lancaster, South Carolina; four step-children, Valerie Fitch and Mark of Fort Smith, Christie Mahl and Mike of Branch, Mary Palarino and Cynthia of Seattle, Washington, and Danny Palarino and Tammy of Branch; (8) grandchildren, Jim Barker (Renee), Eric Roscoe (Huong) Kristin Larson (Craig Petersen) Heather Thweat (Randy), Dwight Pillstrom (Carol) Dana Armitage (Johnny), Lexie O'Neal (Trent), Corey Jones (Jana); (6) step-grandchildren; (20) great-grandchildren, (4) step-great-grandchildren; and (8) great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Mike Hewitt, Billy Bagwell, Dwight Pillstrom, Jimmy Barker, Eric Roscoe, and Danny Roberts.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.