Melba Koon Lever Clementi, 88, of Columbia, formerly of Tampa, FL, died on Thursday March 3, 2022. Born in Columbia, SC on January 23, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Owens Franklin Koon and Alberta Mae Gieger Koon.

Melba grew up on a farm and loved all animals, especially dogs. At the age of 22 she moved to Tampa, FL to work for a well known dress store where she sold women's clothing. She was very ambitious and hard working. While in Tampa she met her husband, Mike, and together they shared 65 years of marriage. They made a life together and had one son, Maurice. An avid collector of many things, Mrs. Clementi loved teddy bears the most. She made bears for her grandchildren during different holidays, birthdays and she also enjoyed quilting and crocheting. Mrs. Clementi took such joy in making and sharing things with those she loved.

Survivors include her husband, Michael Clementi; son, Maurice Owens Clementi; grandchildren, Whitney Lynn Clementi, Joseph Ryan Clementi, Taylor Marie Clementi and Blythe Alissa Clementi; and a great-granddaughter, Lila Mae Crapps. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Clementi is preceded in death by her step-mother, Lila Frost Koon.

The graveside service for Mrs. Clementi will be held at 11 o'clock, on Monday, March 7th at Jackson Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Walter Mack Burris officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Sunday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia.