In Loving Memory of Melba Martin

October 24, 1941 – November 1, 2026

Melba Martin, 85, of Port Neches, Texas, passed away on November 1, 2026, in Port Arthur, Texas. She was born on October 24, 1941, in Ville Platte, Louisiana, to Alfred James Williams and Opal Williams.

If there was one thing you could say about Melba, it was that she knew how to live life. She was full of energy, laughter, determination, and just the right amount of feistiness. Sitting still was simply not in her nature. In fact, her family and friends affectionately nicknamed her “Trotty,” because she was always on the go. Whether she was heading to a casino, shopping, spending time with family, or cheering on her beloved PN-G Indians, Melba was happiest when she was out enjoying life.

At just 16 years old, Melba met the love of her life, Charles "James" Martin, beginning a love story that would define so much of her life. Theirs was a one-of-a-kind love, the kind that doesn't come along very often. When James passed away at the young age of 58, Melba was only 52. Although her heart was forever changed, her love for him never faded. Not a single day went by that she didn't speak of him. Through all the years that followed, James remained a part of her every day, a beautiful reminder that true love never really leaves us.

Of all the things Melba loved in this world, nothing compared to her family. She was incredibly proud of the family she and James had built together. Her children were her pride, and her grandchildren were her absolute world. And if you ever asked Melba about her grandchildren, you already knew the answer: they were perfect, they could do no wrong, and whatever they were doing, they were the very best at it! She was their biggest fan, their loudest cheerleader, and their most devoted supporter.

Her love didn't stop with her own grandchildren. Their friends quickly became part of her family, too. She welcomed them with open arms, treated them as her own, and happily spent countless hours running everyone from one place to another. Whether it was a game, a school event, or simply somewhere they wanted to go, you could count on her to be behind the wheel. She didn't just watch her grandchildren grow up; she made herself a part of every moment she could. She never missed an event of any of her family.

A proud graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School's Class of 1960, Melba was a PN-G Indian through and through. To say she loved PN-G football would be an understatement. She bled purple. She never missed a game, and her loyalty to the Indians never wavered. Even during her final year, when her health made so many things difficult, talking about PN-G football could still bring out that familiar excitement and spark in her personality. Some things in life never change, and Melba's love for her Indians was certainly one of them.

Melba was a woman of remarkable strength and determination. Strong-willed, feisty, and never one to back down easily, she faced life's challenges on her own terms. Over the last six years, she endured numerous health struggles, but time and again, when others thought she couldn't overcome another obstacle, Melba proved them wrong. She simply wasn't ready to give up. Her fighting spirit was as much a part of her as her laughter, her humor, and her love for life. She fought until the very end, showing everyone around her what true strength and perseverance looked like. Even through life's hardest moments, Melba never lost the personality that made her unforgettable.

Melba's life was not measured by the years she lived, but by the love she gave, the memories she created, and the people whose lives she touched. She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish the woman who loved them so fiercely, believed in them so completely, and showed them what it meant to live life to the fullest.

While her family will miss her more than words can express, they find comfort in knowing that after so many years apart, Melba and James are finally together again. And if there's one thing they know for certain, it's that she didn't waste any time getting there.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred James Williams and Opal Williams; her beloved husband, Charles James Martin; and her brothers, James "Jimmy" Williams and Edward “Fritz” Gray.

She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Borel, Kristy Martin, and Alison Martin-Watt and husband, Sam Watt; her grandchildren, Ciera Gray and fiancé, Coleman Mcmains; Teran Costello and husband, Corey Costello; Marissa Borel and husband, Vaughn Ogrydziak; Karli Patteson and husband, Joshua Patteson; Jayda Haynes; Ashton Martin; and Makenna Watt and fiancé, Cade Callais.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Daxton Gray, Sloanne Borel, Aldynn Borel, Brayden Moore, and Cardin Costello, with one more precious great-grandchild on the way.

A memorial service celebrating Melba's life will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at The Temple Church in Port Arthur, Texas.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our biggest cheerleader.