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Melba Louise Luna, 88, of Fort Sumner, NM, died peacefully in her home Wednesday, July 11, 2007 with her family at her bedside. Melba was born November 11, 1918 in Clovis, NM, the daughter of Edmund Roy Frost and Lois Pearl Wyatt (Curry) Frost. She was raised in Hot Springs and Hatch, NM, where she attended high school. Graduating two years early, as well as valedictorian, Melba continued her education at a business college in Los Angeles. After her return to New Mexico, she met Lamar Luna while working as secretary for Buildings and Grounds at New Mexico State University. Melba married Lamar on December 20, 1941, in Hot Springs, NM. She followed him in his early military career before returning to New Mexico, where she attended New Mexico State University, earning a BA with a major in English and a minor in Music. After his discharge from the military, Melba and Lamar made their home in Fort Sumner. Using her business skills, she held various positions and often regaled her family and friends with tales of her court reporting days. She taught English in the Fort Sumner School System for 22 years. She also served as drama coach for high school plays. After her retirement she kept active in the Fort Sumner School System by being asked to serve for many years as the Spelling Bee word presenter. Melba was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as Choir Director for many years. During that time, she also coordinated and directed holiday cantatas with other Fort Sumner churches. Melba frequently presented the Children's Sermon at the church. Both she and the children always looked forward to her sermons. Melba was a member of Methodist Women's Organization, The Friends of The Bosque Redondo Memorial, the Fort Sumner Women's Club, the Garden Club, and a beloved member of the Fort Sumner Ya Yas. Melba loved music, enjoyed gardening, needlework, writing, and journalism. She is remembered by her many students as a teacher who offered them great respect, and who, in turn received their love and support. She will long be remembered by her family and friends for her enthusiasm, support, her sharp wit and easy smile, her graciousness and surrounding love. Melba was preceded in death by her husband, Lamar Luna on May 2, 2006; her parents; a brother, Maurice Curry; a sister, Olive Curry; and two sisters-in-law, Laheeta Harvey and Sybal Knapp. She is survived by two sons, Dwight Luna (Pat) of Tijeras, NM; Ken Luna (Kim) of Portales, NM; daughter, Lou Ann Clark (Patrick) of Eagle River, AK; four grandsons, Scott Luna (Tana) of Chugiak, AK; Ryan Luna (Caroline) of San Antonio, TX; Nate Luna of San Marcos, TX; Evan Luna of Portales, NM; granddaughter, Anne Luna of Portales, NM; sisters, Helen Middleton of Denver, CO and Joyce Grasing of Fort Sumner; three great-grandchildren; along with many loved nieces and nephews. Visitation hours will be held at Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM (505) 355-2311, Saturday, July 14, 2007 and Sunday, July 15, 2007 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 16, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner. Pallbearers will be Scott Luna, Ryan Luna, Nate Luna, Evan Luna, Anne Luna, Russetta Barta, Derrill Mitchell, and Dennis Cleaver. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her many friends, who she considered family. Burial will follow in the family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. The family prefers memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 410, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. To place a tribute or sign the online guestbook please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com
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