Obituaries

Melba Prince Kratch Melba was born in Sherman, Texas to John Melvin and Maggie Parton Prince on May 4, 1925 and left this life on July 10, 2014. In 1945, she married then Army Captain Frank Kratch, who later was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Frank was from Brooklyn, NY, but the two met in Oak Ridge, TN where he was assigned to the Manhattan Project after being wounded in Italy during WWII, and where Melba had headed at age 17 to work in support of the war effort. They were the proud parents of three sons. Frank preceded Melba in death in 1987. Melba is survived by sons and daughters in law Frank and Judy Kratch of Fort Worth; Ken Kratch of Sadler, Texas; and Tim and Debbie Kratch of Austin; grandchildren Kellye (Mark) Neuweiler of Fort Worth, Patrick Kratch of Fort Worth, Chrissy Kratch of Abilene, Joe Kratch of Austin, and Kaci Kratch of Saginaw, Texas. She had the joy of being great grandmother to Zachary and Keris Neuweiler and Cayden Kratch, all of Fort Worth. Melba is also survived by sisters June Lucas of Sherman, formerly of Wichita Falls; and Jane (Ralph) Mattingly of Sherman; several nieces and nephews; and a large extended family of cherished longtime friends. Her brother Eugene Prince, her husband, and her parents preceded her in death. Melba was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Sherman. For many years, she was an active member of the church’s Ministry of Encouragement Committee and she loved participating in its many activities. She also was faithful to her commitment to the Prayer Room Ministry. Melba attended Bells schools and then North Texas University for a short period. Her husband spent 22 years as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers. This post brought with it many moves and new schools for the children, throughout the United States and overseas. She was always active in their activities, whether that meant serving in the PTA, as room mother, or as Cub Scout den mother. As sports entered the boys’ lives, she and her husband proudly attended their games whenever possible. After her husband’s retirement from the Army, the family settled in Sherman where Melba worked for Sherman schools. She was secretary to the counselors at Sherman High during the 1977-1978 school years and then — after devoting 2 years to the golf course — returned to work at Washington school as librarian and then Piner Middle School as the school secretary. An outspoken and vocal advocate of the causes in which she believed, Melba never hesitated to make her voice heard by writing letters to the editor of The Sherman Herald-Democrat (which, along with her Bible, she read religiously), making persuasive or corrective phone calls, campaigning for local politicians or ballot issues, or simply engaging in passionate dialogues with friends and family members. She was giving and compassionate, yet had a definite independent streak which remained strong until the end. In fact, Melba penned much of her obituary herself. The family would like to thank all of her caregivers, especially Deb Talley, Debbie Reed, and Shelly Smith; the nurses of Grayson Home Health who cared for her through her illness; and the caring presences of Home Hospice of Grayson County. We also would like to thank firefighters and EMTs of Pecan Grove Fire Station No. 3 who knew where the house key was, and used it multiple times to help Melba up when she fell, made sure she was alright, and helped her safely back into bed regardless of the time of day or night. Visitation will be at Dannel Funeral Home Sunday, July 13th, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Baptist Chapel at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 14. Pastor David Ellis will officiate. A private burial service will be held at West Hill Cemetery.