Melba Merlean Varney

MELBA MERLEAN VARNEY, 90, of Harman, VA, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Center, Mount Vernon, KY. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Johnny and Cazzie (Clevinger) Bowman. She was a longtime resident of Buchanan County and attended church at Campus Church in Pensacola, FL, and Grace Baptist Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, and worked in the Civil Service at NAS Pensacola for many years in the Navy Department of Printing and Publication, retiring from there. She loved to read, do search-a-word puzzles, and crochet. While living in Florida, her favorite thing was to spend time with her family on the beach. After retiring, she moved back to Buchanan County to be closer to family. Her family and her faith were the most important things to her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded by brother: J.D. Stiltner; sisters: Ellene Stiltner and Vertie Lee Clevinger.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son: Samuel F. (Kayce) Varney III; daughter: Rebecca Ruth Varney; grandchildren: Peyton Varney, Ethan Varney, Ian Varney, Grant Varney, Regan Varney, and Logan Varney; sisters: Joann Williams and Audrey Bowman.

Also, survived by several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and loved ones.

Visitation will be held at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel on Friday at Noon till the funeral hour at 1:00 P.M.

Funeral Servies for MELBA MERLEAN VARNEY will be conducted on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Greg Ramey officiating. Entombment to follow in Mountain Rest Mausoleum at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Active Pallbearers will be family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charity important to Melba.

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, VA is honored to serve the family of MELBA MERLEAN VARNEY