Melba Fern Garey, age 81, of Johnson, Kansas died Friday, June 22, 2012 at Memorial Living Center, Johnson, KS. She was born July 3, 1930 in Medford, Oklahoma the daughter of Claude W. and Vera Gladys (Hodges) Collins.

Melba graduated from Johnson High School. She was a farmwife and bookkeeper for COOP and Collingwood Grain in Big Bow, Kansas. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, EHU, the Cosmos Club and was the first woman to serve on the ACS Board in Stanton County.

On May 21, 1950 Melba married Melvin Ray Garey at Garden City, Kansas. He survives.

Other survivors include one son; Alan Garey and wife Sharon of Lawton, Oklahoma, two daughters; Linda Nicholas and husband Joel of Johnson, Kansas and Rita Garey of Garden City, Kansas, one brother; Lee Collins of Cimmaron, Kansas, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Melba is preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be held Monday, June 25, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Johnson, KS with Reverend Don Hasty officiating. Burial will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery, Johnson, Kansas. Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at Garnand Funeral Home, Johnson, Kansas. The family suggests memorials be given to First United Methodist Church, Johnson, Kansas in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715 Johnson, Kansas 67855.