Melba L. Reese Memorial Fund

Continuing God’s Work

Melba Reese became the bride of Robert Reese in 1946 at a ceremony that took place in Norfolk, Virginia. Robert and Melba then moved to Tyner, Indiana, in October 1951 where they were co-owners of the Tyner Elevator. Melba’s engagement in the community didn’t stop there! Melba served as the Marshall County Recorder for eight years, on the Marshall County Council for four years and on the Drainage Board. She also served on the Marshall County Republican Women’s Committee. And she was a member of the Tyner United Methodist Church and served on the board of the Marshall County Community Foundation shortly after it was founded in 1991.

Melba Reese was a strong Christian and, as her son Gene shared, tithing and generosity were taught in her home. She felt strongly about continuing God’s work at her hometown church even after she was gone. In 1991-92, Melba served as a board member for the Marshall County Community Foundation when the organization was very new. She understood the impact an endowment fund can have on the community. Melba wanted her blessings to be multiplied and her financial gift to be on-going and continuous. She wanted to help the less fortunate and spread the gospel.

The Melba L. Reese Memorial Fund at MCCF was established in 1999 to support the work of the Tyner Methodist Church, originally through the United Methodist Women’s Organization and eventually through mission projects. Melba’s son Gene said, “It’s a gift to financially help others. Those that do not give may never realize the blessing the giver receives by helping others. It’s a choice; but an easy one.”