Melba Nevil Lord

FORT WORTH -- Melba Jo Nevil Lord, 84, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in Fort Worth. Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at University United Methodist Church, Fort Worth. Visitation: The family will receive friends after the service. Interment: 2 p.m., Poe Prairie Cemetery, Millsap. Melba was born on March 18, 1931, in Millsap. She lived in Millsap until she was 13 years old when the family moved to White Settlement and resided in Liberator Village because her father found work at the Consolidated Vultee Plant in Fort Worth during World War II. Graduating from Arlington Heights High School, Class of 1948, she married and began raising a family. Known for her upbeat attitude and ready smile, she made many lifelong friends, to whom she remained close, as she journeyed through life. Married life took her to San Antonio, Covington, La., Baton Rouge, La., returning to Fort Worth in 1969. In her life, Melba had multiple occupations beyond wife and mother, to include working outside the home as an independent small-business owner of Ridglea Floral for nearly three decades, a bed/breakfast owner in Canton, and following her retirement, served her community an additional 14 years as a teacher's assistant at Como Montessori with FWISD until her "second" retirement following the 2014 school year. In the many travels, circumstances, and situations in her life, a pleasant disposition, combined with a familiar family trait of fierce determination, made her not only a strong partner in life but a tremendous example to her children in the values of a strong faith, hard work, humbleness, and the conviction of knowing right from wrong. Melba had several passions in her life but first and foremost, was her love of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was raised in a Methodist household with her family attending Wesley United Methodist Church in White Settlement, and as an adult, she was a member at University UMC from 1970 until her recent passing. Other pursuits included helping her extended family, serving others in whatever needed capacity, reading voraciously, valuing a scholastic and music education for all children, and exploring as much of North America and England as her time and resources would allow. She was always willing to listen and help friends, family and neighbors, as her sincerity and wisdom were evident to many. She greatly enjoyed being an active member of Soroptimist for many years. From her first exposure to music with the timpani at Millsap Elementary, she had a lifelong enjoyment of music, particularly classical. As her children grew, sounds from guitars, pianos, flutes, violins and cellos filled the home, and her love of music continued to be handed down to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Melba enjoyed seeing the expansive oceans, pristine rivers, beautiful mountains and striking deserts of the American West, Alaska and British Columbia, many times with sisters, family and children. Melba's children are sincerely grateful to Lakewood Village Retirement Community and Community Hospice; in particular Lisa and Keeia, whose kindness to our mother will never be forgotten. A special thank-you to her loving sister, Thelma Allen, and niece, Daurice Bessire Ring. Their tender care, vigilance and concern were so appreciated by Mom. She was preceded in death by her oldest son, James Michael Lord; siblings, Paul Ray Nevil, Tommy Lloyd Nevil and Doris Nevil Bessire; and parents, Tommy Joe Nevil and Margaret Randall Nevil. Survivors: Melba is survived by her children,Pamela Lord Bauer and husband, John, Cheryl Lord Fairly and husband, Alex, Christopher Lord and wife, Heidi; grandchildren, Brooke Lord Coward, Sara Lord Bayes and husband, Phillip, Hunter Lord and wife, Jenna, Katherine Bauer, Amy Bauer, Emily Bauer, David Bauer, Caleb Fairly and wife, Allyson, Caitlin Fairly and fiance, Ryan, Chase Fairly, Christian Fairly, Caroline Fairly, Megan Lord, Morgan Lord; great-grandchildren, Cole Coward, Reese Lord, Dylan Bayes, and soon-to-arrive Cooper Lord; honorary son, Fred Seron and wife, Lori; honorary grandchild, Liam Seron; her siblings, Wayne Nevil, Loretta Nevil Crittenden, William Nevil and wife, Shirley, Thelma Nevil Allen, Gracie Nevil Wallace and husband, Gerald; and many more nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she deeply loved. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Melba Nevil Lord please visit our Sympathy Store.