Melba Langford, 83, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Sunday morning, Jan. 13, 2019, in Carthage. Melba Ruth Dailey Langford was born on May 26, 1935, in Beckville, TX to the late James Connelly and Callie Vesta Fite Dailey. She married John W. Langford in Nov. of 1952, in Arkansas and he preceded her in death on March 23, 1963. Melba graduated as valedictorian from Beckville High School with the class of 1953. She attended Panola College and earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English from Stephen F. Austin State University. Mrs. Langford began her teaching career at Central Heights near Nacogdoches and went on to teach in Center and Tatum before spending the majority of her career at Beckville I.S.D, where she retired with over 30 years of service. Mrs. Langford enjoyed sewing and quilting. She lived most of her lifetime in Panola County and was a member of New Prospect Church near Beckville where she formerly served as the pianist and as the director of VBS for many years. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Bettie Ann Dailey; her brother, Billy Charles Dailey; and a granddaughter, Amy Vesta Langford Nash.

Survivors include her sons, John Emmitt "Buddy" Langford and wife Carolyn and Bobby Wade Langford and wife Teresa; daughter, Barbara Buchanan; sisters, Dorothy Bramblett and husband Louis and Evelyn Dailey; grandchildren, Jami Werth, John C. Langford, Matthew Buchanan, Katie Gary, Adam Buchanan, Carrie Moore, Leslie Langford, and Joshua Langford; 15 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, at New Prospect Church near Beckville with Bob Scott and Mike Wilson officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Langley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are John C. Langford, Matt Buchanan, Adam Buchanan, Joshua Langford, Austin Buchanan, and John Colton Buchanan. Honorary pallbearers are Louis Bramblett, Trevor Werth, Craig Gary, and Nathan Moore.

Memorials may be made to New Prospect Church, c/o Dianne Dailey Resta, 1620 F.M. 124 E., Beckville, TX 75631 or to the Truman W. Smith Children's Care Center, 2200 W. Upshur Ave., Gladewater, TX 75647.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.