Melba Warren Hardy

Raised in Crockett on a cotton farm Melba went to school in a one room schoolhouse until she moved to Houston, TX to live with her favorite Aunt Alfrieda Warren Foster. She hungered for more education and in Houston she was able to complete Jack Yates High School and earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Southern University.

Melba accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Episcopal Church throughout her life.

While in Houston she met and fell in love with Wilbur Hardy who was in the Air Force. He surprised her when he announced that he had joined the church and they attended together. They married on 16 Oct 1954. To this union, two girls (Wilmya and Rita) were born joining their older brother, Brandon. Melba followed her husband to many locales in the US during his Air Force career eventually settling in Aurora, CO.

While in Aurora, Melba served as a substitute teacher for grades 3 – 12. Throughout the years she worked with many kids, participated in the PTA, spoke at Career Days, and assisted wherever she could. As her children got older she pursued a Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Denver earning her MSW.

Melba started as a Social Worker at the Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers where she helped babies find homes with loving parents. She was personal friends with many of the recipients of these babies but she never let on that she knew. She worked in numerous elementary schools in the Denver Public School system working with young children and families before she was drawn to the Boettcher School for Handicapped Children. She served as the Social Worker there until her retirement in 1988 and was known for the installation of a handicapped friendly kitchen that allowed children to develop skills toward their independence.

She joined the esteemed Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Episilon Nu Omega Chapter, in Denver and, later, was a founding member and first President of a new chapter in Aurora, Mu Omega Omega.

“Mom was an inspiration to us all. She encouraged us to stay in touch and take care of each other. She wanted us to be happy and gave us help when we needed it. She was strict when she needed to be and generous with the hugs. She could tell – just from your voice – when something was wrong and always had ready advice to make things better. She showed us, by example, how to be strong, to always be the best we can be, to not let others bring us down, and to be compassionate toward others at all times. Her lessons and dedication to service above self was evident when all of her children proudly served in the US Air Force.”

On Saturday, 30 October 2016 the Lord granted Melba healing and called her home to eternal rest.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers (Lorenza S T Warren, Zara Warren Jr, Grover Warren and LW Warren) and her beloved husband, Wilbur Hardy.

She leaves to cherish precious memories her son, Brandon Warren (Carolyn); daughters Wilmya Goldsberry and Rita DuBoyce, MD (William); three grandchildren: Madeline Louise and Zara Victoria DuBoyce and Brandi Lyric Warren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends.

Please leave your love for the family by using our on line guest book. Arrangements under the direction of Advantage Aurora Chase Chapel, Aurora, CO.