Melba Joyce (Coble) Watson

Melba Joyce (Coble) Watson, 85, of Pampa, a beloved wife, mother, mema, and friend, passed away June 17, 2023 at home with her family by her side.

Celebration of life services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Larry Virnau, a Chaplain of AccentCare Hospice, officiating. A family burial will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Melba’s service will be livestreamed through the funeral home’s website.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from  6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Melba was born on November 27, 1937 in Eldorado, Harmon County, Oklahoma to Orville and Myrtle Coble. She was the seventh of eight children in a farm family. After graduating from Gould High School, she married Glendle R. Watson on December 9, 1955 at the Louis Baptist Church. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Pampa to begin their lives together. Glen would precede her in death on December 4, 2011 after 56 years of marriage.

Melba spent her life serving the Lord. She was a longtime member of Hobart Baptist Church of Pampa and a member of Coulter Road Baptist Church when she and Glen lived in Amarillo. Melba was a lover of life. She enjoyed singing, playing piano, and traveling. Christmas was her favorite time of year and she relished hosting the holidays for her family. In addition to her love for her Lord, Melba also loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Brian Watson; sister, Mildred;  brothers, Winifred, David, O.L. Jr., and Jack.

Her survivors include her son, Randy Watson and wife, Becky; two sisters, Geraldine Loving, and Doris Young; seven grandchildren, Amy, Andrew, Briana, Ricky, Bianca, Breana, and Bethany; several great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and extended family. 

The family would like to extend gratitude to Romelia Leal and her crew of caregivers for the time, love, and attention they provided to “Miss Melba” for the last two years.

Memorials can be made to Hobart Baptist Church 1100 W. Crawford St., Pampa, TX 79065; Coulter Road Baptist Church 4108 Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79109; or the Scottish Rite for Children 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219.