Melba Phillips Acheson

June 4, 1940 - May 8, 2024

Melba Joyce (Phillips) Acheson was called to her heavenly home on May 8, 2024, after living her life for our Savior and Lord.  There she joins her parents, Merkel and Odessa (Proctor) Phillips; her sister, Martha Jean Elledge; and brother, Darrel Ray Phillips.

Born in Pampa, TX on June 4, 1940, she was raised in the Spring Creek community and finished high school at Borger High School, Borger, TX.

After high school, Melba attended Frank Phillips Junior College for one year before transferring to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX, to finish her BS in Education in 1962 and begin graduate studies.  While at Hardin-Simmons Melba was a member of the prestigious White Horse Riders, an exhibition team still active today which travels extensively throughout the United States.

While teaching at her alma mater after graduation, Melba met a young Air Force pilot trainee, Denny, who was stationed at Dyess AFB near Abilene.  The two were married in the base chapel on March 26, 1964, the evening before the great Alaskan earthquake in Anchorage which was to be the location of their first assignment together a month later.  This would be the first of 14 moves over the next 24 years.  In addition to raising two daughters, Melba continued her interest in education, substituting in local schools, working in local base education offices and advising military wives groups. She led several children’s choirs at the base chapels which was near to her heart. It served as training for her daughters as well as serving her local church. While stationed at Kincheloe AFB, in Michigan, she made time to earn her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Central Michigan University in 1977.

In 1987, Melba returned to work as an academic advisor, then as a career counselor at Bellevue University. From 1990 until retiring in 2005, she continued as an academic advisor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the College of Continuing Studies, both on campus and at the Offutt AFB Education Center.

After retirement Melba spent time traveling to visit her daughters around the US and in Australia after Melissa married a Royal Australian Air Force pilot, Philip J. Beanland.  She enjoyed her Bible study group, maintaining connections with friends far and wide (especially her dear neighbors), gardening, sewing and quilting, but most of all she cherished her time spent with her two grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Col. (USAF Ret) Densel K. (Denny) Acheson; daughters, Dr. Marrisa Jean Acheson, Ph.D and Melissa Joyce (Acheson) Beanland; son-in-law, Wing Commander (Royal Australian Air Force Ret), Philip John Beanland; grandchildren, Jack Densel Beanland and Melina Joyce Beanland; and sister-in-law, Dixie Jean Phillips.  Additionally, she is survived by her in-laws, Claudia Sue Petersen, Patti Lou and Dennis Franklin Frist; as well as six nephews, three nieces and their families.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Densel K. & Melba J. Acheson Student Enrichment Fund, University of Nebraska-Omaha.

VISITATION: Monday, May 20^th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., West Center Chapel, followed by a CELEBRATION OF LIFE: at 3:00 p.m.  GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Friday, May 24^th at Memory Gardens in Pampa, Texas.

(Published by Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler Mortuaries, May 8, 2024)