Mrs. Melba Nelson Kelsey

Melba Ann Kelsey, 93, of Henderson, TX passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023. Funeral services will be held at Crawford A Crim Funeral Home in Henderson, TX on Tuesday, May 9, with Shawn Heatherly officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00. Her celebration of life will begin at 2:00 p.m. with burial at Lakewood Cemetery, Henderson. Melba Ann Kelsey was born on April 11, 1930, in El Dorado, Arkansas, to parents Richard Wynford Nelson and Ollie Bee Tefteeler Nelson. When Melba was young the Olive family took her to church at Carlisle Baptist where she was saved and baptized at age 12. After graduation from Gaston School, she went to Kilgore Junior College one year for business. On March 27, 1950, she married Eugene Venson Kelsey, and would often remark that she was married into one of the best families one could ever hope for. They had two children Eugenia Ann Kelsey and Gene Lavon Kelsey. She retired from Dickey’s Work Clothes Rental and was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church for 63 years. She was a true caregiver at heart with many years of volunteering and the biggest prayer warrior to have on your side. With encouragement of her grandchildren she was a thrill seeker. Some of her adventures included skydiving, zip lining, and riding in a B2 bomber. She was preceded in death by her husband E.V. Kelsey, her daughter Eugenia Ann Allen, two sisters, Esther Ruth Parker and husband Bobby Jack, Leatrice Joy Collins and husband Stewart and two brothers Charles Nolan “Buddy” Nelson and Vaughn Nelson. She is survived by her son Gene Kelsey and wife Debbie; son Jerry Allen; brother Bill Nelson and wife Kay; grandchildren Lesley Martin and husband Kenny, Matthew Allen and wife Angie, Krissy Jones and husband David, Joshua Kelsey and wife Katherine, Jason Newton, Rachel Baxley and husband Andrew; 12 great-grand children; 1 great-great grandchild. Pallbearers are Joshua Kelsey, Matthew Allen, Garrett Jackson, Richard Nelson, Hunter Schwettmann, Payton Schwettmann. Honorary pallbearers are David Jones, Kenny Martin, Jason Newton, Andrew Baxley, and Pastor JB Williams. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Melba Nelson Kelsey

April 11, 1930 - May 4, 2023