Melva Ferm

Melva Essman Ferm of Cumming, GA, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. She passed peacefully at the age of 82. Mel was born in Steen, MN on February 12, 1944, to Herman and Stellva (Beek) Essman

Mel grew up on a farm in southwest MN along with her six sisters and one brother. After high school, Mel moved to Minneapolis, MN and shared an apartment with her sister Sallie. She went to work for the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA), serving in a variety of capacities. For two years she worked at the Billy Graham Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair. She met the love of her life, Paul Ferm, while they both worked at BGEA and they were married in December of 1965. Mel continued working at BGEA while Paul finished college. After Paul was commissioned in the Navy, they moved to San Diego – where their daughter, Lisa was born.

After the Navy, the family settled in Atlanta – where their daughter, Lori was born. Mel once again worked in conjunction with BGEA for 10 more years – primarily working on creating archives for the Billy Graham Library. Mel was very active in the girls’ activities at church and school becoming an endless taxi service to piano lessons, soccer games and so many other activities. Mel and Paul were active in their own interests at church, like Sunday School, various committees etc. They joined a group affectionally called The Supper Club in 1973 which originally consisted of twelve couples from church. Half of the original members still meet monthly for cherished Christian Fellowship.

In 1979 Mel joined the Dekalb School System. She began at Coralwood, then at Chamblee High School in the front office and her final move to the District Office in 1993, retiring in 2004. She met many along the way that became lifelong friends, which she treasured deeply. After retirement, Paul and Mel built a home in Cumming, GA and hit the road in their motor home to travel the country.

Thriving on craft projects, Mel enjoyed painting, crochet, needlepoint, counted cross-stitch, ceramics, scrapbooking and quilting. She made quilts for all the beds in their house and quilts for each member of her immediate family. She also published her own cookbook, infamously known and titled as “The Cookbook”. Mel also enjoyed many family beach vacations, trips to visit family, was a voracious reader, and enjoyed a variety of puzzles.

Mel spent her final years at The Oaks at Post Road Memory Care unit as she battled with Alzheimer’s. Many of the caregivers became like family to Mel (and the family too!). The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the skill, care, compassion and professionalism everyone at The Oaks exhibited to help Mel navigate the many twists and turns of this disease.

In addition to her parents, Mel was preceded in death by her sisters: Sallie Gardner and Audrey Rud; Her brothers-in-law: Don Baker, Mitch Mitchell, Bob Gardner and Steve Ferm; Her niece: Rochelle Bruns. She is survived by her husband, Paul Ferm; daughters: Lisa Ferm of Ball Ground, GA and Lori (John) Price of Shorter, AL; grandsons: Gaston (Kaitie) Price and Roughan (Savana Tarwater, fiancé) Price of Shorter, AL; Sisters: Morla Baker of St. Louis Park, MN; Beverly (John) Gerken of George, IA; Pauline (Kenny) Ahrendt of Luverne, MN; Wyona (Roger) Stewart of Floyd, IA; Brother Herman Lee (Valerie) Essman of Chino Valley, AZ; Sisters-in-law: Esther Mitchell of Victoria, TX; Becky (Bill) Dodson of Maryville, TN; Brother-in-law Don Rud of Cambridge, MN. She also leaves 30 nieces and nephews, their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Mel’s smile and light will always be fondly remembered by her family and many dear friends.

Services for Mel will be held at 2:30pm on July 17. 2026 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. All guests are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home (georgiachildren.org/donate or by mail to P.O. Box 329, Palmetto, GA 30268).