Melba Jo Lough

Melba Jo (Ellis) Lough of Meadowdale community, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. She was born February 5, 1929, the daughter of the late Robert Dale Ellis and Lemma Ann (Layman) Ellis.

Melba graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1947 and was always involved in her class reunions and get –togethers. Following her graduation, she worked in the purchasing department of Owens-Illinois for eleven years. (This is where she met and married her future husband, Joe). Several years later, she returned to Owens-Illinois and worked in the corrugated office for fourteen years until the plant closed. She was a lifetime member of Christ United Methodist Church, where she held several offices, and played handbells for several years. She later attended Gateway United Methodist Church. Melba and her late husband Joe enjoyed the beautiful hills of West Virginia and the surrounding states and also taking their almost daily rides somewhere. She also enjoyed doing many crafts, especially decorating wreaths and oil painting. She loved and enjoyed her wonderful family.

She is survived by three daughters, Debbie (Kenny) Barker of Fairmont, Patty (Jimmy) Myers of Washington Pennsylvania, and Jeannie (Jay) Rogers of Fairmont; four very special grandchildren, Tyler (Amanda) Reid, Jaymie (Ian) Dixon, Mason (Stephanie) Myers and Morgan Rogers. Also, great grandchildren, Lydia and Waylon Reid, Naomi and Ivy Dixon; her brother, Robert H. Ellis of Fairmont along with nieces, Sharon (Ernie) Dennison, Diane Kent and great nieces, Rachel (Tim) Davis and Rebekah West; cousins, John (Lois) Layman, Dale (Donna) Zinn and Larry (Linda) Zinn, and her faithful cat, Twinker.

Proceeding her in death are sister and brother-in-law, Martha Jean Ellis (Howard) West and nephews, Mark and David West, as well as her loving husband, Joe Lough, who passed away May 3, 2016. They were married in Winchester VA and were married 64 years.

Melba, along with her family wanted to thank all her wonderful Meadowdale neighbors that were so good to her including Peggy, Debbie, Helen, Ron, Sam, Chris, Janet, and Jeff. In addition, her family would also like to thank WV Caring, the caregivers from Village Caregiving, Brandi with Family Services, Kate with Marion County Senior Citizens, and Linda Thompson.

Friends and Family may call at the Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant Street, Fairmont, on Monday, August 18, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Pastor KP Musgrove and Reverend Donald Thomas will be officiating. Interment will follow at the Mt. Zion cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at carpenterandford.com

Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lough Family.