Melba M. Matthews

Melba M. Matthews, of Fort Worth, Texas, was born June 20, 1925 in Nacogdoches, Texas, the only child of George N. and Dora Lee Burrows Marshall. Melba lived a long, eventful life of 93 years until complications from cancer treatment took her last ounce of human energy. On Tuesday, January 29, 2019, Melba was invited to have her regular 6:00 a.m. cup of coffee as a guest of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Melba grew up in Nacogdoches for her first six years, and then her family settled in Lufkin, Texas for her father’s work. At eight years old, she made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ in the Southern Baptist tradition. She was always a prim and proper lady, but not so rigid as to keep her from strutting her stuff as a flag bearer in the Lufkin High School band. She also showed off her intelligence when she graduated salutatorian of her high school class.

When Melba entered the University of Texas in 1942, she lived on campus. Then her parents moved to Austin, and she lived with them for the last three years. She became active in the Baptist Student Union and the youth group at First Baptist, Austin. Although she couldn’t afford to pledge a sorority, she enjoyed dating frat boys and going to fraternity functions.

Melba graduated from the University of Texas in 1946 with a Bachelor of Journalism Degree cum laude. During a youth revival in the spring of 1946, she made a commitment to “full-time Christian service”, a promise that she lived throughout her life.

After college, she accepted a job at the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, Tennessee as Editorial Assistant to the Editor of the publications, Adult Sunday School Quarterly and Open Windows devotional magazine. It was during her time in Nashville that she became fast friends with Ann Huguely, Josephine Pile, and Dot Hair, who also worked at the Sunday School Board. The four of them maintained their friendship for the rest of their lives.

In the summer of 1947, Melba met Paul A. Robertson, a senior at Cumberland University, a Baptist college in Lebanon, Tennessee. They began dating and later became engaged.

She considered it part of her commitment to full-time Christian service when she married Paul in 1948, at First Baptist Church, Austin. She commuted between Nashville and Lebanon until they moved to Fort Worth where Paul entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through her professional connections, Melba had already secured a position as secretary to the Director of the School of Theology at the seminary. She helped support Paul through his seminary studies to earn both Bachelor and Master of Arts Degrees in Sacred Music.

In the spring of 1953, Paul graduated and they began their ministry to various churches throughout the South where Paul applied his considerable talents as Minister of Music. Along the way, they had three children—Paula, Marsha, and Melanie, who became Melba’s full-time joy and another way to live out her Christian commitment.

She was a dedicated mother, a darn good cook, and an impeccable hostess. Somehow, Melba also found plenty of time to devote to church activities. She often shared her talents as an inspiring teacher in Sunday School, Training Union, and Baptist Women’s events—even researching and presenting extensive book studies. Of course, she was a member of the church choir and always her husband’s choice for speaking parts.

In the fall of 1966, the family moved for the last time to Athens, Georgia. A few years later, Melba began teaching at the University of Georgia—lecture courses on Editorials, Feature Writing, and Book Reviews. She went on to become full-time manager of the Graduate Records Office and then used her gifts as Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School at the University. The children were bereft when their parents’ marriage ended in October 1973.

Beginning in 1970 and continuing for 33 consecutive years, the four friends—Ann, Josie, Dot, and Melba—met each spring at various locations across the southern states. It was a cherished time of reunion among lifelong friends. They dubbed these events their “Pre-heaven” Meetings, and Melba always looked forward to them.

In 1977, Melba left her university position to marry Hugh T. Matthews, Jr. and move back to Texas. Melba added his two children, Lee and Tanna, to her role as Mom and later continued her career as her husband’s legal assistant in their law practice. She enjoyed traveling across the United States in their RV and observing the abundant wildlife, especially wild birds. She became an avid bird-watcher, quite knowledgeable of the many species she encountered. Melba kept up her writing skills in detailed notes and journals with daily accounts of her travels and other highlights throughout her life.

In 1987 they retired and moved to their cattle farm outside of Gilmer, Texas. Later in life, they moved into Austin—near stepdaughter, Tanna—where they lived until Hugh’s passing. Then her daughter, Paula, orchestrated her move to Lakewood Village to be near family in Fort Worth.

At Lakewood, Melba enjoyed many activities. She was a faithful attendee at the Tuesday Ladies Bible study, Sunday morning church service, and exercise class. Although she attended the Church of Christ services at Lakewood, she made sure everyone knew she was Southern Baptist!

She had fun playing Bingo, where she often won prizes. She also enjoyed walking up to the lake to watch and feed the turtles and ducks. It was a special place for her. And she looked forward to having lunch almost every day with her friend, Terry.

Her family was her life; she loved them all unerringly and unselfishly, often to her own detriment. Her children loved her fiercely and often argued over how best to care for her in these last years, given each one’s unique gifts and relationships with her. Although her memory betrayed her in the latter years, she never lost the ability to recognize each of her children and grandchildren, for which they are grateful.

Melba overcame many challenges in her life, but you’d never know it from her ever positive, cheerful attitude. She was a giver, a servant, and the most forgiving person you could ever know.

Melba is survived by her children, Paula Robertson of Fort Worth, TX; Marsha R. Allen of Athens, GA; and Melanie R. Carpenter of Garland, TX.

Other surviving family include:

Son-in-law McKenzie Allen of Athens; stepson Lee Matthews and wife Jacquin Matthews of Fort Worth; stepdaughter Tanna M. Fiske and husband Damon Fiske of Austin, TX

Grandchildren Jennifer L. Wooten of Athens, GA; Heather L. Belken of Garland; Luke Matthews of Austin; Jacob Matthews of Fort Worth; and Helen and James Fiske of Austin, TX

Great-grandchildren Braden and Hayden Wilcher of Garland, TX

Cousins Vernona (Nonie) Castleberry and Robert Castleberry of Montgomery, TX

Nieces and nephews Len Robertson and family of Johnson City, TN; E’Lane R. Draughon and family of Nashville, TN; Jim Robertson and family of Troy, TN; Mike Robertson and family of Mt. Olive, AL; and Cecelia R. Manning and family of Southaven, Mississippi

Melba was preceded in death by her parents; her friends Ann, Josie, and Dot; and her husband, Hugh.

The funeral service and interment were accomplished in Austin, TX on February 2, 2019 officiated by Dr. Doug Keenan of First Baptist Church, Austin.

A local memorial service was held on February 23, 2019 at the Lakewood Church of Christ, Lakewood Village Christian Care Center, Fort Worth, Chaplain Allen Luker officiating, with a reception following.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, or In Touch Ministries. Online condolences can be offered at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/melba-matthews-8143502