Melba Elfreda Holder (Sitta) was born on May 4, 1945 to the late Theresa P. and Joe H. Holder of Winston-Salem, NC. She was preceded in death by her brother Marvin Holder.

She enjoyed a loving early childhood and attended the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools. She graduated from A. H. Anderson High School in 1963. As a student, Melba was studious and friendly, which led to her attending Spelman College upon graduation from high school. At Spelman, she majored in Biology and made many life-long friends. The Blue and Orange of Anderson and the Spelman Blue are forever etched in the love she exhibited throughout her lifetime to her Alma Maters.

Melba moved to Boston, MA upon graduation from college and began a gratifying career at Brigham and Women's Hospital for over 30 years. It was in Boston that she developed her 3 rd love for all things, New England from the Patriots, Celtics, Homemade chowders and the best lobsters you have ever eaten. Melba's culinary excellence was joy to family and friends, who she served with precision and the positive delight of everyone. While in Boston, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and participated in many activities in that city. She loved to read, buy gifts and QVC was her middle name. Generous to a fault, Melba returned home to take care of her mother Theresa. The care she gave to her mother was selfless and heartwarming to all who witnessed her care.

Her Fitch Street neighbors were like a family and delighted in gifts and culinary delights that she provided for them daily. Melba (Sitta) was a consummate neighbor and friend.

Survivors: Sister, Sandra Holder; niece, Natalie Young; nephews, Damon (Tracey), Kenneth, and Wesley Holder; great nephew Burrell Howard Young, III; sister-in-law, Valarie Holder; cousin and daily confidant, Debra Ann Thomas; the Penn, Dillard, Thomas, and Barclay family; adopted family Denise and Doris Hartsfield; childhood friends Daisy, Dennyse, Martha and Olivia; all of the Golden Girls of Spelman class of 1967; Agnes, Diane, Rosalyn, Cynthia, and Vernestine; the A. H. Anderson Alumni Association; her Fitch Street neighbors; and last but not least, Blue, her fur baby.

Funeral service for Ms. Holder will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 1, 2022 at Clark S. Brown and Sons Funeral Chapel. There will be no public viewing. Interment Evergreen Cemetery. *Masks are required.