Melba Christine Ballew, 89, of Maryville, IL, born December 19, 1934, in Taskee, MO, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

Melba retired after 34 years of service as a telephone operator for AT&T. She was a longtime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and Bethel Baptist Church in Caseyville, IL. She loved to bowl and also enjoyed fishing, genealogy, sewing, flower gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Esther (nee Wilson) Keele; her husband, Lee Roy Ballew; her special friend, Calvin Gore; 2 stepsons: Roy "Rookie" E. Ballew, Sr. and Richard L. Ballew; a grandson, John Lee McKinley Ballew; and 4 siblings: Norman Keele, Sr., Clyde Keele, Mary Lee Hartsock, and Naomi Goff.

She is survived by her daughter, Robyn (Mark) Hermann of Maryville, IL; a daughter-in-law, Paula Ballew of Madison, IL; 9 grandchildren: Tina (Blake) Boggs, Roy "Rookie" Ballew, Jr., Krista (Kyle) Mueller, Amber Knight, Tiffany (Ed) Crain, Brittany (Skyler) Biver, Phillip Ballew, Sarah Hermann, and Matthew Hermann; 16 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and sister-in-law and best friend, Delores "Dee" Keele.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Rucker Cemetery in Williamsville, MO.

Memorials are requested to Samaritan's Purse (PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607) or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home (2800 N Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062).