Melba Maxine Sledge

Maxine Roach Sledge, 99, passed on to embrace her Savior, and loved ones that have gone before her, on July 31, 2025.

Melba Maxine Roach Sledge was born in Cloverdale, Kanas, on April 8, 1926 to her parents, Roy and Lydia Roach. Growing up on a farm in Cedar Vale, Kansas, she was raised with three sisters, Virginia Williamson, Louise Myers, and Wanda Cowell. She attended Cedar Vale High School, class of 1943. In her young years, she was a substitute teacher at Summit School and Shiloh School.

She married Wesley Loman Sledge, son of Wesley Everett Sledge, Bluford, Illinois. Over the years, they took many trips back to Illinois to see family and friends, and she still remained in close contact with many of his family members. Wesley and Maxine settled in Wichita, Kansas after WWII, and later Derby, Kansas, where they made their home for 67 years. Wes passed in 1992, where she remained in her home until she moved in 2020 to Hilltop Manor in Cunningham, Kansas.

Maxine will be remembered for being a wonderful mother and homemaker for her children. A Girl Scout leader, member of First Christian Church, an election board worker, and many volunteer jobs that she joyfully wanted to do. She took special responsibility to care for her elderly parents in her home when they needed extra help. Always a caretaker, she cared for her wounded husband after the war in Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado, for four years, until he was well to return to civilian life and employment. Being a disabled veteran’s wife, her membership in the DAV and 96th Infantry Div. Auxiliaries made her proud and honored to be associated with.

Telling stories of baling hay, following the ole plow horses planting corn, and many other hard jobs for a girl, she was raised to be a hard worker, and did work like a man. Since she and sister Louise were the middle girls, they did outside jobs, and Virginia (oldest) and Wanda (youngest) they helped their mother in the house. Her dislike for chickens and eating chicken was not found out until later in life, when her family finally found the reason why. She would be playing with her sisters on a raised porch, and run and jump off it only to land on her mother’s baby chicks killing them. Then she’d get in trouble and a spat on the behind for doing that!

Her garden, flowers, and feeding the birds and squirrels were her joys, and there were always kitty cats, many over the years that were her babies. Chatting on the phone, and bragging about her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, to everyone that would listen were her joys, too.

Maxine is survived by her children, Ronald (wife Ruth) Sledge of Hanford, California, and daughter Sharon (husband Stan) McAhren of Byers, Kansas. She had six grandchildren, Kimber Leigh Johns, Marc Sledge, Scott Sledge, Travis McAhren, Serena Forrest, and Colleen Smith; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters.

Maxine will lie in state from 5-7pm Wednesday, August 6, at Smith Mortuary in Derby. There will be a Celebration of Life at the American Legion in Derby at 11am Wednesday, August 6.

Graveside services will be 10am Thursday, August 7, at Round Mound Cemetery, north on Road 8, north of Cedar Vale, KS, off of Highway 166. She will be buried next to her beloved husband, and parents.

A memorial has been established with Hilltop Manor Activity Fund, 403 S. Valley, Cunningham, KS 67035.