Melba Fern Kerley

Nov. 1, 1919 - Sept. 13, 2008

Melba Fern Compton Kerley, 88, passed away peacefully with her children at her side on September 13, 2008 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home, Sherman, Texas. Graveside services will be held Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m.at West Hill Cemetery, Sherman, TX. Rev. Phil McLarty of the First Presbyterian Church in Hope, Arkansas will be officiating.

Melba was born on November 1, 1919, in St. Vincent Hospital, Sherman, Texas to Henry Alan Compton and Retta Amelia Stinnett Compton. Melba was married 65 years to retired Texas A&M University professor Auston Kerley, who passed away February 17, 2005.

Melba grew up in Sherman spending some of her summers in Corsicana, Texas playing with her cousins and helping her Uncle Jess and Aunt Inez and their children pick cotton and perform other chores on their farm. Growing up during the Great Depression, Melba and her siblings enjoyed a simple but happy childhood. She was an industrious child, who, as the eldest, assumed responsibilities for helping the family. One spring and summer she approached the local bakery with the ingenious plan of delivering baked goods to customer's homes on her bicycle for a small commission, earning enough money to pay for summer camp for herself and her younger sister, Jody.

On November 24, 1939, Melba interrupted her college career to marry her high school sweetheart, Auston Kerley, in Sherman, transitioning into the next phase of her life as wife, mother and professional. Thirteen years and four children later, Melba finished her college degree at Texas State College for Women, moving shortly thereafter to College Station to begin her 33 year career as an educator with a first grade teacher position at Crockett Elementary while Auston began his career at Texas A&M University. When the national Head Start program was started in the mid-1960's, Melba taught summers in the program before she was named Head Start Director. In 1973, she was selected to develop the first regional "open concept" school at Johnson Elementary, retiring after 11 years.

After retirement, Melba continued her involvement with community service teaching knitting classes, conducting knitting seminars and working with friends to provide afghans for Habitat for Humanity and "Care Quilts" as a member of the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilting Guild. Her expertise as a knitter was enhanced as an elected member of an elite international knitter's society having passed a series of graduated tests in levels of difficulty for knitted lace.
In January, 2007, Melba moved to Albuquerque, realizing her dream of spending her last years in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico. She will be very missed by her children, friends and all of her "school children."

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Henry Alan Compton, Jr. and a sister, Joretta Compton Harrington, as well as her beloved aunt Monie Lee Compton.

Survivors include her children, Mike Kerley of El Reno, Okla., Tom and Vicki Kerley of Albuquerque, N.M., Mary Ann Toperzer of Bryan, Lucinda Kerley of Dallas and Pat and Terry Kerley of Austin. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity 119 Lake ST, Bryan, TX 77801 and Still Creek Ranch for Boys and Girls 6055 Hearne RD, Bryan, TX 77808.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.DannelFuneralHome.com