"Funeral services for Melba June Ballard Wesson will be Friday , March 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Coleman Church of Christ. Interment will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 PM at Heartland Funeral home in Early. A visitation will be held at the Coleman Church of Christ Friday from 11:00 AM to service time.

"Melba was born to Chester and Etta Ballard in Coleman County. She was one of 14 children. She graduated in 1942 from Mozelle High School.

"She married J.R. Wesson in 1946. They were married 56 years before he preceded her in death in 2002. They had three children, Nita Meador, Larry Wesson and Kenny Wesson.

"Melba was a homemaker who made a wonderful home for her husband and her children. She was a dedicated wife and lived for her family. She had a strong Christian faith and became a member of the Church of Christ in Coleman in 1954. She was a dedicated member of the Austin Avenue Church of Christ in Brownwood from 1969 until her death.

"Melba's joy was being there for her family. She loved her children, parents, her brothers, and sisters and all extended family. She has four grandchildren. They are Jami Meador, Jarah Meador, Chris Wesson, and Heather Duval. She was the babysitter for each of them from the time they were born until they entered school. They learned many valuable "life lessons" from her. She started each of them on their path to success. They remained close to her until her death.

"We all experienced the long goodbye caused by alzheimers. Melba was 88 years old when she died on February 26.

"She is survived by her children and grandchildren listed above. She is also survived by a step-grandson, Cody Meador, son-in-law, Gary Meador, daughter-in-law Kathy Wesson, grandson-in-law Patrick Duval. She has four remaining sisters; Allene Cope, Leta Trigg, Clara Row, and Joan Stanton together with their husbands. She has one remaining brother, Chester Ballard. There are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and the rest of her wonderful, extended family. She will be missed by all of us. However, we are sure she was met at the gates of heaven by her husband, parents, brothers, sisters, and others who were the waiting for her arrival. She is gone home.

"Memorials my be made to the Alzheimers Association West Freeway Suite 100 Ft. Worth, Texas 76102. Or the charity of your choice.

"Heartland Funeral Home of Early is in charge of arrangements."

(Coleman Chronicle and Democrat-Voice, Coleman, Texas, February 27, 2014. Used with permission.)