Orpha Irene Hamelback, 81, of Rector, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould.

She was born July 15, 1922, in Rector to the late Marion Evans and Ella Little Evans.

She was a homemaker, a lifelong member of the community and a member of the Marmaduke Church of Christ.

She also was preceded in death by her husband, Wilford "Wick" Hamelback, in 1987; one brother, Leonard Evans, and two sisters, Earline Evans and Hazel Evans.

She is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, Dewayne and Mary Ann Hamelback of St. Charles, Mo., and Ricky Hamelback of Rector; one brother, J.D."Bodie" Evans of Jackson, Mo.; four grandchildren, Steven Hamelback, Brad Hamelback, Christy Hamelback and Jason Hamelback, and seven great-grandchildren, Justin, Matthew, Nicole, Jacob, Megan, Sydney and Austin.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Marmaduke with Arvil Hill officiating. Burial was in New Liberty Cemetery south of Marmaduke with Irby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.