Melba H. Reeves

 On the 15th of January 2022, Melba passed away while under the compassionate care of Hospice at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West, Arizona. She was 94 years old.

Melba was born on October 12, 1927, in Elkins, West Virginia to Norval Ray Harris and Marguerite Eugenia Harris (Ray). Melba grew up in Elkins, West Virginia surrounded by family and graduated from Elkins High School in 1944. That same year, she met her future husband, Donald Allan Reeves while he was in Elkins, West Virginia attending Davis & Elkins College as a cadet with the Army Air Corps. They married in 1947 and were happily married for 68 years until Don’s death in 2016.

Melba is survived by her sons; Donald Allan (Madlyn) Reeves, Jr., of Woodland Park, Colorado, Eric Ray Reeves of Casa Grande, Arizona; and daughter, Deanna Reeves (Jack) Friedman, of Buckeye, Arizona. Melba is also survived by five grandchildren; Melanie (Jamie) Farren, Justin Reeves, Jessica (Michal) Potasz, Eric (Terrisa) Reeves, CJ Friedman; and many great-grandchildren. Her sisters, Betty Schmertzler and Mildred Clark predeceased her.

Melba accompanied her husband during his 30 years in the Air Force to many assignments around the world including the Aleutian Islands, Michigan, Colorado, Washington, DC, Bitburg-Germany, and Wiesbaden-Germany. During those years, Melba created a loving home while raising their three children. After Don retired from the Air Force, Melba assisted him in his second career as a Certified Public Accountant in Colorado Springs, Colorado after he established his own accounting practice.

They retired from accounting work in 1986 and enjoyed living in Nevada, Florida, Arizona, and Colorado. Following Don’s death in 2016, Melba resided at MacKenzie Place in Colorado Springs. She traveled to Surprise, Arizona in 2021 to spend the winter and holidays with her children. Don, Eric, and Deanna are blessed to have spent this time with her and to be at her bedside when she passed. She was an amazing special lady whose passing leaves a void for those who knew and loved her.

Melba will be laid to rest at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery beside the love of her life, Don, during a private family graveside service. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607.

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