Melba Ann Ward, 86, of Ft Stockton, passed away on Sunday, October 6, in Mc-Camey.

Visitation will be held 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, at Eternity Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11, at First United Methodist Church of Ft Stockton with Reverends John Barrett and Travis Reames, officiating. Burial will follow at East Hills Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Eternity Funeral Home. Melba was born in Lamesa, TX to Haskel Lee and Dora Ann McCarley on Dec 31, 1937. She graduated from Lefors High School where she excelled in many activities and was featured in Who’s Who of Baton Twirling, one of her favorite activities.

After High School she enjoyed working as a cosmetologist before marrying Charles Dean Ward on 08/16/1958. The couple moved from Pampa, TX to Fort Stockton where they started their life together and raised their children. A life-long Methodist, Melba was committed to the church where she worked as church secretary, Mother’s Day Out administrator, and pianist for many decades. She obtained a license in cosmetology, but her love for children led her to a degree in early childhood education after her own children were grown. Her later years were spent with her grandchildren where she attended as many of their activities as possible and traveled as often as she could to see them. Melba is preceded in death by her father Haskel Lee, mother Dora Ann, and brother James McCarley.

Melba is survived by her husband of 66 years, Charles Dean Ward, her children Charles Rafe Ward, Blaine Lee Ward, Shaila Deanne Chamberlain, Misti Jean Leyva, grandchildren Daphne Miranda Ward, Jordan Sofia Ward, Tanner Lee Ward, Kelsey Hannah Chamberlain, and Bailey Dana Chamberlain.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Diabetes Association.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, hospice workers who cared for her, and her Methodist church family.