Melba Jean Brady Dingler

Melba Jean Brady Dingler moved to Heaven on Monday, October 31, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Saturday, February 4, 1939, in Suttle, Perry County, Alabama, to Thomas B. “T.B.” and Imogene Edwards Brady. Reared in Selma, Alabama, from the age of three, Melba attended the historic Dallas Academy and graduated from Albert G. Parrish High School in 1957.  She moved to Metairie in 1961 where she resided until retiring to Lamar County, Mississippi, in 1997.   Melba returned to Louisiana and lived in Ponchatoula from 2011 until her passing.

The quintessential southern lady, Melba loved connecting with people and never met a stranger. Everyone was always welcomed and made to feel truly at ease in her home. Melba could talk to anyone about any subject, whether it was matters of the heart, politics, history, or art.  An avid reader, Melba always had a book in her hands, even up until just a couple of weeks before her death. She was a natural and gifted storyteller and captivated the attention of her audience with her humor and dry wit.  Melba’s talents as a collage maker, a quilter, and crafter extraordinaire inspired creativity to flourish in her family, and she relished witnessing her children's and grandchildren’s creativity and love of art and music.  Melba had many friends, and she especially cherished talking to and being with her “J-Club” gals. While she loved living in Louisiana, all who know her say her heart never left Selma.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, James Oliver Dingler; parents, T.B. and Imogene Brady; and sister, Glenda Brady Monk.

She is survived by her three children: son, Jeffrey S. Dingler (Colleen Neely) of McKinney, Texas, daughter, Melissa Dingler Levine (Kevin) of Madisonville, and son, Michael J. Dingler of New Orleans.  Affectionately known as “Mam Maw,” Melba adored her seven grandchildren, Madeline Neely, Davis Levine, Claire Levine, Austin Dingler, Sophia Dingler, Audrey Dingler, and Aidan Dingler; and two great grandchildren, Finn Hede and Sawyer Hede.  Also survived by her dear nephews, with whom she was extremely close, Thomas M. Monk, Jr. of Greenville, Alabama, and Bryan Monk, Sr. of Selma, Alabama.

Share your thoughts and memories of Melba in her guestbook by visiting Lnhughes.com.

Arrangements entrusted to LN Hughes Funeral Services of Ponchatoula, Louisiana.