Melba Hansard Winham, left this life to walk the Golden Streets of Heaven on Aug. 19, 2021. She was born March 20, 1931 to Lowell (Shorty) and Irene Miller Hansard at Vernon, Texas. They moved to Colbert when she was two where her parents started attending the First Baptist Church of Colbert. Melba was a faithful member from the age of 12 years and raised her children in the church.
Music was her passion, being a member of the church choir for more than 60 years. She sang in a quartet at age 16 on KSEO radio station as well as singing many specials over the years. She worked in VBS, WMU, children’s training union, GA’s and a Sunday School teacher in various age groups. Her latest mission was operation Christmas Shoe Boxes, along with her class and the church, purchasing and packing over 400 boxes per year for needy children through Samaritans Purse.
She retired from First United Bank, working 35 years as a bookkeeper at various places. She was a 50-year member of Eastern Star, a past treasurer of Colbert Cemetery Association, was also past treasurer of I.S.D. of Colbert. She graduated from Colbert High School and attended Grayson College. After her retirement, she and her husband traveled in their motor home between Colorado and South Texas.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Douglas and wife Beverly of Colbert, Okla.; her daughter, Karen and husband Jim Fritts of Denison, Texas; four grandchildren, Shannon and husband Daniel Wright of Colbert, Okla., Stephanie and husband Scott Phillips of Denison, Texas, Aaron and wife Rachel Winham of Colbert, Okla., Jeffrey Fritts and wife Alexa of Austin, Texas; seven great-grandchildren: Courtney Aleman, Marissa Bruton, Rhianna and Summer Phillips, Nicholas Winham, Ava and Alayna Fritts; five great-great grandchildren; Reagan, Julian and Penelope Jade Aleman, Rowan Avila and Onni Scott Whetzel.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Winham; her parents, Lowell and Irene Hansard and her brother, Billy Frank Hansard.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 23, 2021 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Colbert, Okla. with Brother Steven Alexander officiating. Interment will follow at Garden of Memory Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Key, Bill Marcum, John Fisher, Andy Perry, Gary Arnett and Taman Bowles
Arrangements under the direction of American Funeral Service.