Melba Ruth Seaman Hundley (Swilley) was born on October 29, 1935 in New Willard, Texas, to Lloyd Earl Swilley and Edna Pearl Dillon Swilley. She passed away on September 17, 2024, at home in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Her growing-up years were spent largely in Louisiana and east Texas, including several wonderful years in Silsbee. After the family settled in Lufkin, Texas, Melba graduated from Lufkin High School. She married James Seaman in 1952 and spent the next phase of her life as a stay-at-home mom. During these years, James was working his way up in the FAA, and the family spent chunks of time in Tyler, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio before moving to Lake Charles in 1972.
With her children grown and after helping raise some of the grandchildren, Melba took a job in the fabric department at SelMart. She also, at various times over the next 30 or so years, enjoyed quilting, cake-decorating, traveling, and listening to Southern gospel music.
Melba loved her family and made sure there were always large and small gatherings. Many wonderful and memorable times were had over the years because of “Mama/Momma/Grandma/Granny.”
After James’ untimely passing in 2001, Melba spent the next nine years as a widow and then married Rev. Ray Hundley in 2010. She enjoyed that second chance at love, which lasted until Ray passed in September of 2021 at the age of 91.
Melba is survived by her children, Faith Ferguson (Lake Charles), Lane Ramsay (Flora MS), and Gary (Sheila) Seaman (Huntington TX); stepson Robin Hundley (Lees Summit MO); grandchildren Jeri (Jerome) Bostick (Moss Bluff LA), Teri (Kenny) Pitcher (Covington LA), Dina (Ricky) Peters (Carlyss LA), Shanna (James) Scheifley (Haslet TX), Erin (James) Smetona (Flora MS), Zack (Ana) Fillion (Chicago IL), and Forrest Ramsay (Flora MS); brother Jim (Jimmie Sue) Swilley (Richmond TX); 13 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her two nieces and her nephew, many members of James’ family, of which she was a part for many years, and Ray’s siblings and grandchildren. Melba was preceded in death by her parents, sister Elaine Swilley Black, and her husbands James Seaman and Ray Hundley.
A service to celebrate Melba's life will be held on Saturday, September 21, at Glad Tidings Church. Visitation will start at 11:00 a.m., followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens under the direction of J.E. Hixson Funeral Home.
