Melba L. (Shelton) Ramsey

     Melba L. Ramsey, age 91 of Eldorado, passed away at 10:11 AM, on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida.

     Melba was born on August 3, 1934 in Eldorado, Illinois to the late James Roy and Clara Blanche (Ballard) Shelton.  On November 20, 1953 she married David Paul Ramsey and he preceded her in death on October 13, 2006.  She was a lifelong member of Oak Grove General Baptist Church.  Melba took care of David and all of his hired hands on the farm by seeing after them. She made sure that their meals were supplied and would run for any necessary machinery parts, to aide in making the farm a success. Behind every good man, there is a good woman and Melba was that woman. In her later years, after David retired, Melba loved shopping and traveling with Jeri.  She loved her family and her church family.  Melba having a strong faith in God, beginning in the early 70’s, Melba read the entire bible through each and every year. On their 40th wedding anniversary, David planned a 15-day Panama Canal cruise which fell through due to the cruise lines and they celebrated in Aruba where she got to shop. They actually got to celebrate the next year by cruising through the Panama Canal for their 41st anniversary starting from the west coast. She so looked forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, but David fell sick before they were able to do so.

     Melba is survived by her daughter, Jerolyn “Jeri” Vickery and husband, Jim of Eldorado, Illinois; granddaughter, Audra Vickery Poore of Eldorado, Illinois; step-grandson, Steve Patton of Stevenson, Alabama; three great grandchildren, Adrienne Poore, Spencer Poore and Walker Poore all of Eldorado, Illinois; brother, Richard Lee Shelton and wife, Sandra of Fort Worth, Texas; niece, Karen Shelton Phillips of Wood River, Illinois; niece, Krista Shelton Rayburn and her husband, Brian of Keller, Texas; nephew, Richard Lee “Rich” Shelton II and wife Jennifer of McKinney, Texas; niece, Pam Ramsey McNeil and husband Kenny of Evansville, Indiana; and nephew, Steve Ramsey and wife Kelly Wargel Ramsey, of Ridgway, Illinois; as well as several great nieces and great nephews; her first cousin and closest confidant, Shirley Rister of Eldorado, Illinois; dearest cousin considered a second daughter, Marilyn Turner Healy of Peotone, Illinois; dearest cousin, Mary Kelley and husband, Mike of Waterford, Michigan; and many other special lifelong friends including, Edith Webb of Tunnell Hill, Illinois; lifelong friend, Irene Cross and husband, Charlie of Benton, Illinois; and her cousin, Russ Ramsey of Omaha, Illinois who considered her his aunt and who handled all of her farming affairs after her husband David passed away.

     In addition to her parents, James Roy and Clara; and husband, David P. Ramsey, Melba was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Alyssa Renée Vickery; brother, Roy Vernon and Helen Shelton, her stepfather, due to the untimely death of her father, Fonnie Tucker, and her next stepfather, Cletus Phelps who held an important place in her life, and David’s parents, Paul Daniel “Bud” and Harriett Ramsey.

     Funeral services for Melba L. Ramsey will be held at 2 PM, on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Stricklin Funeral Home in Harrisburg. Lifelong family friend, Rev. Gary Hardesty will officiate and her current pastor, Rev. Mark Finnie will assist and burial will follow in Oak Grove General Baptist Church Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM, on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Stricklin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove General Baptist Church Cemetery and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.  A live stream of Melba’s service will be available on her obituary page at the time of the service.

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