Melba Eileen Smith

Melba Eileen Smith, 92, a long-time resident of Fort Sumner, New Mexico, died Friday, March 29, 2013 in Amarillo, Texas following a long illness. Melba was born February 25, 1921 in Burlington, Iowa to Floyd and Merle Haynes. She graduated from Abington High School and attended Western Illinois State on a scholarship to study Home Economics and Secondary Education. She married her high school sweetheart Dale Smith, after a five year courtship, in a pastor’s cottage in Iowa on February 28th, 1942. A short while later Dale joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. He returned to Warren County, Illinois where he and Melba farmed for many years. Melba actively worked the farm alongside Dale – even driving the tractor in a time before women commonly did that kind of work. In 1962 Melba, Dale and their six children moved to Deming, New Mexico for Dale’s health. Six years later they relocated to Fort Sumner, New Mexico where Melba lived until illness caused her to move to Canyon, Texas to live with her daughter Laura. Melba worked as a bookkeeper at Fort Sumner Electric for over 30 years. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church until her illness prevented her from attending services. Melba is survived by her children: Melvin Dale Smith and his girl-friend Suzie Appleby, Galen Lynn Smith and his girl-friend Judy Angelo, Jeffery Merle Smith and his wife May Smith, Steven Owen Smith and his wife Tracey Smith, Laura Jean Waight and her husband Tommy Waight and Rebecca Eileen Hughes and her husband Terry Hughes; her grandchildren: Wendy, Cory, Jennifer, Josh, Jason, Robbie and Chris; her ten great-grandchildren, her five great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law Maymie Germany; her nephew Robert Haynes; her niece Katy Lovette; and her beloved precious kitty Velvet. Melba is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her only brother Floyd (Dede) Haynes. Services will be conducted by Sister Anna Teeter of The Church on the Hill at the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, New Mexico on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. A graveside service will be held at the Fort Sumner Cemetery immediately following the church service. Visitation will be at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 3rd at the Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com