Melva Jean Seymour

February 15, 1928 - February 22, 2022

Melva R. Seymour, of Louisville, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, February 22, 2022. She was 94 years of age. She was carried home in the arms of Jesus to hear the words she has anticipated her whole life, “Well done, good and faithful daughter, enter into your rest.

Melva Jean Ramsey was born February 15, 1928 to Henry Clint and Beulah Broyles Ramsey. Melva was the third of 4 children, she loved her older brothers, Murrell and Kenneth, though they sometimes forgot she was a girl, and teased her by cracking her knuckles. She was a wonderful big sister to Beverly Ann, 6 years her junior.

Melva grew up quickly, as she started her first job when she was just 14 years old working at a bakery on fourth Street. By 15, she took a job at the telephone company as an operator. Her dad would pick her up after work, so she wouldn’t have to walk home in the dark. But that changed abruptly when, at the age of 46, Melva’s dad died of cancer. Melva was was just 17 when she lost her father.

Melva was a hard working independent woman. She used her earnings wisely and generously. She helped support the family, but she also got herself a Studebaker, and later a sweet 1955 Turquoise Chevy Bel Air Hardtop. She could bring home the bacon—fry it up in a pan—even before she contemplated having a man! She also made it her business to take her mother and her sister on several trips. Each trip a little further than the last, from Spring Mill, to Virginia Beach, and even New York City! Melva knew how to create meaningful memories. She may have been an introvert, but she was a people person, too. Especially when it came to family.

When Melva did “contemplate a man” she didn’t look too far from home. Jack Seymour lived just a few houses down on her little dead end street (Rowan St) in the nicest house on the street! (Think indoor plumbing)

Their romance didn't start right away, but when Jack was in Korea, during the war, Melva knew just the kind of thing to keep at least one of the troops happy and interested. She sent him a picture of herself in a bathing suit. I guess that’s what sealed the deal! Jack and Melva got married in 1955. Melva’s brother, Murrell, gave her away. The honeymooners headed to Spring Mills State Park, but the hotel registrar wouldn’t give them a room, because they didn’t produce the marriage certificate! She told them if they wanted a bed, they could go home. Jack found the marriage certificate in his pocket, and they got the room. My how times would change in Melva’s lifetime!

Melva and Jack, were very excited when Melva found herself “in the family way” with their first baby. But tragedy struck. Their first child and only son was stillborn. This was a heartache like no other. Melva never forgot that loss. Even in her last days she spoke sweetly of baby Timothy. What a beautiful thought of that reunion in heaven, just a few days ago.

It seemed longer than the year it took for Melva and Jack to get the good news that they were expecting again. Melva gave birth to a little girl, Cynthia Ann, they were thrilled! Just 13 months later, their second baby girl, Rebecca Lynn, was born. They were joyfully surprised! And two and a half years later, they had their 3rd blessing, another baby girl, Lisa Gail. In between her last two babies, Melva miscarried. She certainly had her share of heartache. But she never let it make her angry or bitter. She trusted the Lord her whole life.

Melva had a long celebrated career with AT&T, moving up in the ranks to executive secretary, all the while making sure her husband and children were her priority. Melva retired from the telephone company after 30 years of service. Everyone loved her, she was just that kind of hard worker and sweet spirit.

Melva loved Jesus and spoke to her children, grand children, and great grand children about His love and faithfulness every chance she got. All the grand children remember the songs she sang with them, especially “I wash my hands this morning so very clean and bright, and give them both to Jesus to work for Him til night…” As well as “Jesus Loves Me”, which was one of Melva’s personal favorites to hear the great grand children sing. Jack and Melva had the family in church every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. The most important thing to them was that their children and grandchildren know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. They sent their girls to Portland Christian High School, and joyfully watched all three girls choose to follow Jesus, and marry strong Christian men, who are all in ministry.

Melva loved going on trips with her husband; her sister, Beverly; her daughters; her nieces and nephews; and her grandchildren and great grandchildren. A favorite vacation spot was The Great Smokey Mountains, as recently as 2020, and her and Jack’s furthest destination was Spain!

As recorded here, Melva had her share of heartaches. She lost her brother, Kenneth in 1979, she lost her mother at the age of 92, and her brother Murrell in 2015. She ached for losing them, but knew that she would see them again in heaven one day.

On 2/22/22 that day came. Until the summer of 2020, Melva and Jack enjoyed the home they shared together since 1965. That home would empty out and fill back up several times over the years with their 3 daughters, sons-in-law, 10 grand children, and 15 great grandchildren. But July of 2020 started the hospitalizations, rehab stays, 16 months at their daughter Cindy’s, and then, October of 2021 saw them both back in the hospital, rehab, and then released to a nursing home, in hopes that they would return to strength and to the comfortable home of their oldest daughter. That day never came for Melva. She called out in the wee hours of Tuesday, March 22, 2022, and asked if she could just go to sleep. The attendant assured her she could, pulled her covers up, and the next thing Melva knew, she was in the arms of Jesus. Just where she longed to be.

Melva is survived by her beloved husband, John David Seymour of Louisville, KY; her sister, Beverly (Joe) of Louisville, KY; her three daughters, Cindy (Watson) of Winchester, KY; Becky (Stephen) of Louisville, KY; and Lisa (Tim) of Cincinnati, OH. She is also loved by 10 grand children, 15 great grandchildren, and one on the way!

Melva was preceded in death by her only son, Timothy, her parents, Clint and Beulah Ramsey; and 2 of her siblings, Murrell and Kenneth.

Visitation and celebration of life will take place on Monday, March 7, 2022.

Visitation is from 11:00-3:00

A celebration of Melva’s life will begin at 3:00 PM at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4623 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213.

Melva will be laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery, 4623 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213.

There will be no graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Melva to any of these 3 ministries her daughters are involved with:

Portland Christian High School (Cindy)

https://portlandchristian.org/

Friends of International Students (Becky)

https://www.friendsofinternationals.org/

BLOC Ministries, Inner City Mission, Cincinnati (Lisa)

onebloc.org