Melba Adams

August 8, 1930- June 17, 2024

Melba Stark Adams, age 93, passed from this life on June 17th, 2024. She was born on August 8, 1930, in Newton County, Texas. Her parents, Bertha Mae and Clifton Stark welcomed her, their third child.

Melba was blessed to have six siblings: Johnnie Mae, Genia Fay Edith Ray, Georgia Sue, Betty Jo, and Clifford Douglas.

She had pleasant memories of growing up "on the banks of Cow Creek." She shared these memories in a book that she wrote titled," My East Texas, My South." In later years, she and her sister, Gean would talk each day on the phone and share stories of their childhood, which included the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Melba graduated at the early age of 16 from Newton High School and went to work immediately in Kirbyville. She and Gean shared their earnings with their large family. Melba was a hard worker and mastered a number of different jobs, including banking and being a legal secretary. She and Gean learned typing and shorthand at Newton High School and used these skills to excel in their careers. She left Texaco at 55 and enjoyed a long retirement.

Melba dated and later married Walter Adams in October 1950. She and her granddaughter, Megan, created a beautiful scrap book of their dating time. It is on display for your viewing. It was a golden time for dating–picnics at the creek, movies, love letters, and beautiful gifts: a gold wristwatch, a cedar hope chest, a new dress with matching green shoes, a Mexican jacket, and more.

The wedding took place at Lewis Chapel Church. The bride wore a new, gray suit. They honeymooned in Galveston.

Baby Mellany joined them in 1952 and Baby Hagan in 1958.

Melba and Walter lived in a number of towns, but most of their married life was spent in Kirbyville and Houston.

Foremost in her life was Melba's belief in Jesus as her Lord and savior. She spent her early years attending Lewis Chapel with her family. After her marriage, she was a charter member of Central Baptist in Kirbyville. Later in life, she and Walter were baptized by Leon Goff at Kleinwood Church of Christ. She loved to attend Ladies' Bible studies and hosted some in her home. She used her talents to create children's handwork for bible classes.

In 1968, Melba made the decision to move to Houston. She believed that her children would benefit from the education offered in Spring Branch I.S.D. Her sister, Georgia, assisted by finding a beautiful apartment for the family and offering support afterward. This move was a turning point for the family, and they continue to appreciate the help and generosity of Georgia.

Melba's hobbies included gardening, scrapbooking, and playing and shopping with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Melba and Walter loved Christmas. The family gathered on Christmas Eve to enjoy delicious food and to open a pile of gifts. They were also generous with gifts of money. They loved to see how the children would enjoy spending or investing it.

Melba enjoyed gospel music. Whether it was listening at home to the Gaithers or attending concerts at assisted living, she found encouragement and comfort in music.

She loved her family. When disagreements occurred among her siblings, she prayed and campaigned for reconciliation. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were loved unconditionally. She was often tempted to brag of their achievements.

A long marriage can have many ups and downs, but she chose to honor the promises that she made in 1950. Melba and Walter were married 62 years.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, her parents, Bertha Mae and Clifton Stark, four of her siblings, Johnnie Kocian, Edith Adams, Betty Frazier, and Clifford Stark.

She is survived by her daughter, Mellany and husband, Robert Ray, her son, Hagan Adams and wife Becky, her Grandchildren, Megan Jones and husband, Jeremy, Adam Ray and wife, Casey, and Jacob Adams, her great grandchildren, Mallory Jones, Will Jones, Aurora Adams, Logan Adams, and Robert Stephen Ray, her sisters, Gean Cameron and Georgia Manicom and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 27th at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Klein, Texas 77379. Visitation will be at 9 a.m., followed by a service at 10am.

Interment will be at the Houston National Cemetery, 10401 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038, 2 p.m.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers who contributed to Mom's care. We especially would like to recognize Angie Payne, who formed a special attachment to Mom and cared for her with love.