Melba Robertson Casey

Melba Robertson Casey, 73, departed for her eternal home on April 9, 2020, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. Born on January 12, 1947, in Houston, Melba was a daughter of the late Raymond Gene Robertson and Jonnie Martin Robertson.

Melba was a 1964 graduate of Vardaman High School. She not only continued her education at East Mississippi Community College, but also at Mississippi State University.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Melba found herself teaching at Vardaman Elementary where she would remain for the next 32 years molding young minds and impacting lives.  Aside from her desire to care for others, Melba found joy in reading, cultivating delicate flowers, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was active in her community, serving on the town beautification committee and Hillcrest Cemetery Association. She proudly belonged to The Order of the Eastern Star, and the Calhoun County Retired Teachers Association. Melba’s life changed forever on September 12, 1966, when she married her heart throb, James Marshall Casey, in the quaint town of Vernon, Alabama. The couple spent a timeless 53 years together abounding precious memories and love.  Melba didn’t simply pass away, she held in her soul the cure to death, a relationship with Jesus where she worshiped Him at First Baptist Church of Vardaman.

Melba is survived by her loving family that will carry her memory in their hearts; husband James Marshall Casey of Vardaman, Mississippi; two sons: Porter Casey and wife Jean Ann Casey of Vardaman, Mississippi, Justin Casey and wife Kim of Pensacola, Florida; four grandchildren: Kent Casey, Wesley Casey, Caroline Casey, and Carson Casey.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Raymond Gene Robertson and Jonnie Martin Robertson; one brother Kent Robertson.

A graveside service remembering Melba’s life will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2020, beginning at 3:00 P.M. in Hillcrest Cemetery. Bro. Jonathan Peeples and Bro. Fred Hartley will officiate the service. Kent Casey, Wesley Casey, James R. Duncan, Dr. Jon Massey, Luke Massey, and Hal Reese Jr. will serve as pallbearers. Tommy Azspell, Jerry Hartley, John Forest Martin, Maurice B. Martin, and Boyd Wayne Robertson will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be given to First Baptist Church of Vardaman.

Parker Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce and Vardaman is honored to serve the family in making arrangements remembering Melba’s life. Online condolences may be composed at parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com.

The staff and Parker Memorial Funeral Home prioritize the health and well-being of our associates, family and guests.  We understand this is a fluid and serious situation that we are in today and that we are monitoring and evaluating developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

We and the state still believe that gathering and supporting one another at a time of loss is very important.  At this time, we are asking everyone to support a limited gathering and visitation policy.   This is a guideline of the CDC and the state board of health. We will be allowing small family groups and limited persons at visitation, funerals and gravesides until this crisis is over.

We do ask that those at risk or those not feeling well stay at home, but reach out to the family via the memorial webpage on www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com.  Also we are listing family addresses where you may reach out to them and send them a card or a note of encouragement in their time of loss.  Flowers and expressions of sympathy are still being accepted.

We also ask those who are attending visitation and funeral services to follow the CDC recommendations to take the usual steps to help prevent the spread of illness. Social distancing is very important in the control of the spread of this virus.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this time we are in with the (COVID-19).  When this crisis is over we will resume our normal procedures and operation.

Prayers are with all of you, we trust that God will protect and strengthen us as we get through this crisis together.  “Faith does not mean trusting God to stop the storm, but trusting Him to strengthen us as we walk through the storm”.