Melba Fitzgerald

The family of Melba Starnes Fitzgerald will have a Celebration of Life Service of her 92 years at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Plains United Methodist Church, Plains, Texas.  A graveside service will precede the Celebration at 10:00 am where she will be laid to rest beside her Cowboy at Plains Cemetery for family and friends.  Her family will host a time of fellowship and remembrance from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers.  She passed on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.  We invite you to view the live-stream service on Wednesday the 21, on this page.

On December 7, 1929, Melba Frances was born to Homer and Bertha Starnes in Olton, Texas. She attended school at Brownfield from 3^rd grade until she graduated in the class of ’47 with lifelong friends.  She worked at the Drugstore and the Brownfield Airport.

Melba married the love of her life and Cowboy, Johnnie L. Fitzgerald on August 28, 1949, at Brownfield, Texas.  Plains is where they set their roots to raise 4 daughters and were pillars and active community members. She was a member of the Plains United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the Choir, served on many boards, a Bazaar organizer and made beautiful art pieces to raise funds, and sent cards with her art and scripture. She was also a member of the Plains Fine Arts Club.  Her love for the arts and creativity was evident through her expertise as a seamstress where she made 5 wedding dresses, clothes for her daughters and granddaughters, Halloween costumes, and many cheerleading uniforms for girls that their moms did not sew.

As Mom, Meme, and Memo she attended countless ballgames, tumbling events, One Act Plays, UIL events, and read many Rough Drafts over the years.  After each one, whether win or lose, good or bad, her Grandchild or Greatgrandchild did THE BEST. She loved to travel and went all over the world with Johnnie on County Commissioner Conferences, Power Tumbling Events with Grandkids, and several Cruises with her daughters and granddaughters. Her Patio was a place of refuge for many.  She was an avid listener with words of wisdom and encouragement.  She loved to create that space each year with flowers and plants and brought in grandkids to help which gave them a sense of ownership in that place.

Survivors include their children, Gwen (Clay) Helms; Johna (Tim) DeBusk; Son-in-law Tony Winn; grandchildren Ashlee Davis, Ladd Winn, Shyloh Winfield, Sunny Shipley, Hunter Helms, Dru Ammons, Dylan, Drayton, and Dantz DeBusk; great-grandchildren, Mesa Hartman, Ivey and Lily Davis; Trevor, Logan, and Kallie Winn; Ryder and Kace Winfield; Fielding and Sutton Helms; Swayde and Shield Shipley; Liv and Penelope Ammons.

She was preceded in death by mother, Bertha Starnes; father, Homer Starnes; husband, Johnnie L. Fitzgerald; daughter, Dianne Fitzgerald; daughter, Lynne Winn; granddaughter, Haley Helms; great-granddaughter, Palmer Helms; and siblings, Mavis, Mazi, Harley, and ‘Ene.

Donations in memory of Melba Fitzgerald can be made to the Haley Helms Scholarship Fund at Rotan High School and Plains United Methodist Church.

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