Melba is survived by her two children, Steve (Patricia) Helms of Colorado Springs, CO and Karen (Cameron) Killebrew of Milton, GA; four grandchildren, Lance (Heather) Helms of Charlotte, NC; Kyle (Sarah) Helms of Port St. Lucie, FL; Cody Killebrew and Abbey Killebrew of Milton, GA; and 4 great-grandchildren, Anniston, Brooks, Emilia and Madison Helms. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter L. Helms, Jr., in 1994.
Melba was the only child of the late Ben and Vera (Cox) Long, born July 3, 1931 in Newnan, GA. She was a 1948 graduate of Central High School in Phenix City and married Walter on March 11, 1949 in Columbus where she resided until moving to Alpharetta in 2010.
She was an accomplished seamstress, artist and gardener, enjoyed league bowling and was an avid baseball fan. Over the years she watched her husband, son, son-in-law and grandsons play the game and never missed a Braves game on television. When her daughter was growing up, they played on the church softball team together, with Melba on the mound. She loved her country and dreamed of traveling the US in an RV with her husband; and though that wish was never granted, she was happy and content with her life in Columbus where she devoted herself to her family, church and community. She was a devoted daughter, who cared for parents next door throughout their lives. Melba was gifted with a beautiful singing voice, even from a young age. While living near FDR’s Little White House in Warm Springs, her family had once implied to little Melba that perhaps she could sing for the President as he drove by their home. Though never given that opportunity, she did sing in her High School Glee Club and the Edgewood Baptist Church choir for more than 50 years. One of her favorite solos was “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and we take comfort in knowing that she is now singing with our Savior’s heavenly choir for all eternity. While Alzheimers took her memory from her these many years, Melba is now fully aware of us again and will be watching over and caring for us all from above.
Visitation will be held 9-10 am on Friday, July 17, 2020 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus, followed by a graveside service at Parkhill Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Rev. Andy Merritt and will be live-streamed through the Facebook page of Striffler-Hamby https://www.facebook.com/StrifflerHamby/ for those wanting to view the service from home.
