Melva Wade

Melva Joyce Wade, 82, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on December 14, 2025, in her home surrounded by her family.

Private funeral services will be held at Beltway Chapel on December 17, 2025, with Randy Turner of Beltway, officiating. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Melva was born in Carlsbad, NM on July 4, 1943, to Bernice and Bill Woods. She attended Carlsbad schools where she met the love of her life, Leon Wade. Melva and Leon married January 25, 1961, in Carlsbad at Bethel Baptist Church.

Melva accepted Christ and was baptized in 1967. She loved the Lord and this was evident in all she did as a wife, mother and homemaker. She and Leon raised their children Shelly, Robert, and Scott in a loving Christian home. She also assisted Leon with the bookkeeping of their business, Wade Construction. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Carlsbad. She and Leon lived in Carlsbad before moving to Abilene, TX in 2018.

Melva is survived by her husband, Leon Wade; daughter, Shelly Purpura and husband Jim of Abilene; a son, Robert Wade and his wife Dana of Carlsbad; and her youngest son, Scott Wade and wife Julie of Abilene. She has one remaining sister, Darlene Batey, of Green River, Wyoming.

She is loved by all of her grandchildren: Heath and Kerri Fowler, Sara and Andrew Kouba, Cristina and Brad Gray, Joseph Purpura, Nick and Laura Purpura, Jena and Travis Maisch; Daniel and Kim Wade, Marissa and Wacey Mitchell, Matthew Wade, Kristin and Seth Rizer, Christopher White; Caleb Wade and Macie Katona, Lauryn and Jacob Casteneda; 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; one sister-in-law Regina Vail; one brother-in-law Jim Wade.

Her unconditional love and servant heart has left a legacy to many generations and to all who knew her.

The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the nurses at Interim Hospice, Beltway Church and the Life Group of Jim and Shelly Purpura.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31: 25-30