Melba Fern Martin

Melba Fern Comba Martin

Born August 15, 1932

Died January 7, 2026

Born in the middle of the great depression to a family of sharecroppers in Plainview, Texas. Life started hard for Melba. But she had a loving mother and seven brothers and sisters to share the load. They had almost nothing, but they had each other and their imaginations. They would stand on a log to pretend they were movie stars singing and dancing on a stage. As World War II began, Melba pitched in wherever she could. She was a hard worker, even working in a service station fixing flats when she was around 12 years old. The family moved around quite a bit, but one day she met a soldier, and she was soon married. That soldier became a farmer and at 16 she was now a farmer's wife. They had a girl and a boy. While raising two children she also worked in a bank, owned a diner and a flower shop. She worked hard but made sure she showed her children lots of love. After the children grew up, she moved to Tucson, Arizona and became a realtor. It was here she met a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, who was on holiday. Howard saw her on the golf course and said "I'm gonna marry that girl". But when he asked her on a date, she said "No". So, he asked to borrow her car. When he brought it back, she said "the next time you borrow my car, I will be in it". They were married three months later! She moved from the scorching Arizona desert up to the ice-cold winters of Canada to be a policeman's wife. She became a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. During her time there they traveled, threw parties, collected antiques and fine china from all over the world, while she continued to sell real estate. During her husband's time with the Canadian Secret Service, she once had tea with Lady Bird Johnson. After retirement, they moved back to Hobbs, NM. Living right next door to her daughter. They lived in Hobbs for several years, making numerous friends and enjoying hobbies like golfing and delving into ancestry and genealogy. During this time, she discovered she was a Daughter of the American Revolution. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer, she was by his side and lovingly cared for him until he passed. In her senior years she married her long-time friend E.L. Martin. After he retired, they moved to the mountains, on the golf course in Ruidoso, NM. They spent many years traveling all around the world, including places like China, Jerusalem and Hawaii. They were great companions, and she cared for him throughout his final years. Melba lived on her own until she was 91, spending her final years at home with her daughter.

Melba had a timeless beauty and a generous spirit, making friends with everyone she met. She always had a twinkle in her eyes, exuding charm and class. She loved everyone and everyone loved her.

Preceded in death by parents and six siblings; son, Randy Kelly; husband Howard Comba; husband, E.L. Martin;

Survived by daughter, Sandy Goad of Hobbs, NM; granddaughter, Jill Pardo (Louis) & great-grandchildren, Mia and Garrett of San Antonio, TX; granddaughter, Kelly Bagby (Robert) & step-great-grandchildren Lyndsey, Lauren, Emily and Lane of Austin, TX; stepson, Kevin Comba (Trish) & step-grandchildren, Hailey and Dylan of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; stepdaughter, Leanne Comba of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; step-grandchildren, Bobby Goad (Kay) of Hobbs, NM, Richard Goad (Jody) of Flower Mound, TX, Doug Goad (Amy) of San Antonio, TX, Kendall Goad (Nancy) of Hobbs, NM and all their families; stepsons, Emmett Martin (Steve) of Tucson, AZ, Richard Martin (Rose) of Hobbs, NM and family, sister, Shelba Flenniken (Nobel) & son; nieces, Margie Dickenson, Judy Mason; nephew, Doug Rouser.

The family would like to express their enormous gratitude to Kim Allred, who provided such compassionate care and friendship during Melba's final years.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Enhabit Home Health and Hospice of Carlsbad, NM would be appreciated.