Melba June (Chambers) Baird, 90, of New Castle, passed away at home May 29, 2023.

Born June 25, 1932, in Scott County, Tennessee, daughter of the late Sterling and Loma (Strunk) Chambers.

Melba is survived by sister Sue (Vern) Taylor of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is preceded by 5 brothers, Tyrus, Fondee, Donald, James and Bryan and her sister Doris.

Melba moved to Cincinnati, OH with her late husband, Dennis Don Baird, exiting Tennessee for jobs after the Korean War. Melba worked as a receptionist at a furniture store and medical billing in Greentree, PA. But her main "job" was wife, mother, and grandmother. Melba lived with her daughter Teresa (Larry) Spurk in New Castle.

Melba and Dennis loved the Lord from childhood and helped start two small Southern Baptist churches. She stayed busy raising kids, teaching children in Sunday school and loving her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She attended First Baptist Church New Castle for many years and later New Life Baptist Church New Wilmington. Melba loved the Lord, read her Bible and attended church until she could no longer.

She is survived by two children, Dr. Jeffrey Baird and fiancée Judith Miller of Penn Township, PA and Teresa (Larry) Spurk of New Castle, PA. Melba has four grandchildren, Daniel (Emily) Spurk of Zelienople, Melissa (Luke) Nagel of New Castle, Jennifer (Bradley) Chew of Manor and Jonathan Baird of New York City. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Avery, Gabriel, Wyatt, Valerie, Paige and Riley and many nieces and nephews whom she treasured.

We thank Three Rivers Hospice for exemplary care in her time of need. We are heartbroken at her passing but so thankful for the peace and joy she is now experiencing in Heaven.

Visitation will be held on Sat. June 3rd from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.

A funeral service will take place immediately following visitation, at the funeral home, at 11:00 am.

Burial will be at Harmony Baptist Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.cunninghamfh.com.