Melba Faye

Freeman Marth

Melba Faye Freeman Marth, of Roscoe, Texas, passed peacefully into our Lord's arms on June 23, 2023. She celebrated her 88th Birthday on May 3rd of this year.

The third daughter of J.R. (Jack) Freeman and Lula Maye Stevens-Freeman. Melba was born in Trent, Texas, but the family soon moved outside of Roscoe awaiting the building of their new home on Oak Street in Roscoe. Melba graduated from Roscoe High School in 1953. She and her high school sweetheart, Garland Marth, were married on June 13, 1953.  In 1955, they welcomed Gaylan Ray, followed by Waylan Jay in 1961 and finally Tamie Kay in 1967. Melba chose to be a homemaker and later in life she decided to share her love for nurturing by obtaining her LVN license. She completed the Vocational Nursing program at Texas State Technical School in Sweetwater in 1992. She began working at Methodist Hospital as a graduate nurse then to the Mitchell County Hospital District until her retirement.

Her true love in this life was her family. She diligently worked with her family farm helping in areas such as the cotton field all the way out to the farrowing house. She could always find those lost sweeps in the field! She was also the stock show & rodeo mom, baseball mom, basketball mom, brownie leader, 4-H leader and cheer mom. But, most of all, she loved being "Grammy" to her Cherished grand and great grandchildren. She and Garland always enjoyed supporting their kids in any event. They cherished time with friends by playing bridge in the Roscoe bridge club and their class reunions. Most importantly, they loved spending time together. Her love for the Lord was deep and she shared her belief by living as a good and faithful servant. Melba and Garland both willed their bodies to science, hoping that their donation would help others in the future.

Survivors include Gaylan and wife Jane, of Sweetwater, Waylan and wife Louanne, of Silver, Tamie Smith and husband Clayton, of Water Valley.  Grandchildren: Will Smith and wife Ashley, Ross Smith, Alan Marth, Halee Marth, Elizabeth Zepada, Rayaann Smith, and Paisley Marth. Great grandchildren: Sutton Smith, Shaw Smith, and Renlee Morgan. Sister: Billye Sessions and husband Odis, of Seven Points, Texas. Numerous nieces, nephews and special friends made throughout the years.

Preceding her in death were her parents: J.R. (Jack) Freeman and Lula Maye Stevens-Freeman, Husband: Garland Marth, Brothers: Luther Ashford and wife Lassie, Jerland Freeman and wife Elnor, and J. T Freeman and wife Janice, Sisters: Joyce Buckner and husband Doug, Meretha Kelley and husband Donald Wayne.

A memorial is planned for Wednesday June 28th at 10:00 am at McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with Jake and Jason Freeman officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Heart Association or West Texas Rehab.