Melba Lee Boatwright 86, departed this life on Tuesday August 8, 2017 in Darlington, SC. She was the mother of Samuel Rowell, Darlene Thompson, Levoster Boatwright, Earl Boatwright, Carolyn Hayes, Michael Boatwright and Barbara James. You may visit the family at the home of her daughter Barbara James at 1511 Brandermill Court, Marion.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00pm Sunday August 13, 2017 at the New Greater Deliverance Church For All People, 113 Martin Luther King Blvd., Marion, SC. She will be laid to rest in the Jobs Cemetery, formely McConnell/ Greenlawn Cemeteries, Marion.

Mrs. Melba Lee Boatwright aka Sturbe was born on October 7, 1930 in Marion, SC. She was the daughter of the late Mrs. Emma Hanna Rowell and Mr. Edward J. “Tooki” Rowell. Siblings preceded her in death are the late Mr. Melvin Rowell, Mrs. Helen Rowell-Foxworth, Ms. Emma Lou Rowell, Mr. Jack Rowell Jr., and Mr. Leroy “Pokey” Rowell all of Marion, SC. She was the third of seven children.

Sturbe departed from her earthly home on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 in the home from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Sturbe attended Marion County public schools and later worked at Russell Stover Candies, Marion, SC, Schofield Mills, Mullins, SC, Sopakco, Mullins, SC and for many years she worked at Marion County Convalescent Center Rains, SC, after retiring she worked at the Pee Dee Community Action Agency in Marion, SC. She later attended Marion County Adult Day Care Center, Marion, SC and New Generations Adult Day Care Center in Florence, SC. As a young adult Strube was in  a singing group that went around singing from church to church. She attended New Greater Deliverance Church For All People, Marion, SC, Bishop John Owens, Pastor. Sturbe’s hobbies was singing, fishing, going to church and having a good time.

Sturbe was the mother of ten children, Mr. Samuel Rowell, Sturbe later married the late Mr. Lee Douglas Boatwight and to this union nine children were born; Mrs. Darlene (Tommy) Thompson, Mr. Lee Voster (Debbie) Boatwright, Mr. Earl (Sandra) Boatwright, Mrs. Carloyn Hayes, Mr. Michael (Alice) Boatwright, Mrs. Barbara (Kent) James. The late Mr. Ronnie Boatwright, Mr. Tommie Boatwright and Master Leanda Boatwright all preceded her in death. She is survived by one sister Mrs. Leona Dixon of Marion, SC. Sturbe had one stepson Mr. Lee Doughlas “DJ” Boatwright Jr., a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, many cousins and friends. A special grand daughter Felicia Boatwright and a special great grandson Ty’shon Mullins of Marion, SC. God really blessed Sturbe over these wonderful eighty-six years.

Sturbe was well known for speaking her mind and getting you straight when needed, there’s two things she don’t’ play about that’s her family and her money. She often stated “ I don’t even play the radio not unless I want to hear it, and if anybody else is in the room they bet not turn it on”.