Melba J. Wyatt

Melba Jean Welch Wyatt, born November 23, 1938, passed away the morning of November 2, 2025, peacefully surrounded by loved ones in Gulfport, Mississippi.

She was born in Flynn, Texas at the home of her beloved Grandparents, Hoogterp. Melba was quite the tomboy growing up and enjoyed running all over the country homestead where she was born. Growing up and attending school in La Marque, Texas, she took up twirling and played clarinet in the school marching band. After graduating from high school, she attended college at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. There, Melba met and married the handsome Paul Burpo. They had three children together: Kathy, Vicky, and Paul, Jr.

Melba dedicated her working life to civil service for the United States of America. She served at Randolph Air Force Base in Universal City, Texas, the Pentagon in DC, Yongsan 8th Army Base in Seoul, Korea, and the United States Department of Agriculture in Gulfport, Mississippi. She was further assigned by the USDA to assist in keeping American produce safe, which included traveling for extended stays in Puerto Rico and California. Melba and her second husband of 45 years, Orv Wyatt, greatly enjoyed traveling to beautiful locations for both their jobs and to visit their numerous family members and friends.

Artist, family historian, pet guardian, traveler, lover of all things Texas. She was a proud member of both the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution with extensive lineage recorded in both organizations. Melba greatly enjoyed painting and leaves behind many cherished paintings. A life-long avid reader, she always had a book on hand - in particular, when traveling. As far as animals and pets, she was a caregiver to many as evidenced by countless photos of her hugging animals of all varieties!

In the twilight of her life, Melba resided at Seashore Highlands where she continued to be an active member of her community. While at Seashore, she contributed her love of music, dance, art, and making new friends as well as the joy brought by her local great-grandchildren Rosemary and Jesse Carr Saucier with all the Seashore residents and staff.

Melba is survived by her children: Katherine Levy (Eric) of Austin, Vicky Carr (Nelson) of Gulfport, and Paul Burpo (Jami Whelan) of Newtown Square. She is further survived by stepchildren: William Wyatt (Valarie) of New Braunfels, George Wyatt of Seguin, and Wendy Matusiczky of Baton Rouge. Melba also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren, and 15 grandchildren: Katherine Carr, Nicholas Levy, Ashley Levy, Rebecca Carr, Norah Burpo, Adam Wyatt, Jason Wyatt, Lisa Ducote, Amy Rosenblum, James Wyatt, Joshua Wyatt, Jean-Luc Matusiczky, Skyler Matusiczky, Csanyi Matusiczky, and Wyatt Matusiczky. Melba is also survived by her sister, Mary Louise Laheye. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Colonel Elvin Orville Wyatt, her parents, Henry and Clara Lorene Welch, and her grandson, David Carr. She will be greatly missed

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Seashore Highlands Gulfport in the name of Melba Wyatt

Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS, beginning at 9:30 AM. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, followed by burial at Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30 PM.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Wyatt family.