Melba F. Black

Melba Faye Black, 97, better known as “Grandma” entered into God’s eternal care on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at The Brethren Home in New Oxford, PA where she lived for the last six years.

Born on Thursday, February 3, 1927, in Morgantown, TX, she was a daughter of the late Edgar and Sarah Frances Swain Chennault. She was also preceded in death by her husband with whom she was happily married for many years, Alvin Stewart Black, Sr., who died in 2000; four brothers, Edgar, Clarence, Steve and Joseph Chennault; two sisters, Dorothy Daugherty and Ellen Weaver; and a son-in-law, Terry Jenkins. Melba was a longtime employee of the Longview Nursing Home in Manchester, MD, and later worked for the Jack Tarr Sewing Factory in Littlestown and in the deli at the former Frontier Town Campground in Ocean City, MD. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, needlepoint and, along with her husband, volunteering at various national parks across the country. She will be remembered for always making family her first priority.

Melba is survived by six children, Frances Ann Boyles of Hampstead, MD, Ethel Marie Jenkins of Berlin, MD, Miriam Elizabeth Clapper and her husband, Steve, of Hanover, Alvin Stewart Black, Jr. and his wife, Barbara, of Littlestown, Patricia Katherine Black of Wilmington, DE, and Bryon Keith Black and his wife, Leslie, of Mardela Springs, MD, ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Donald Chennault and his wife, Sondra, of Dallas, TX; and a sister, Sarah Wortham of Paris, TX.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on April 6, 2024 at the Hanover First Church of God, 600 Fairview Drive in Hanover with Pastor Dan Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Brethren Home Community Benevolence Fund, 2990 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford, PA 17350.