Melba Mae Barclay Minshall, 89, entered into rest on February 16, 2013 surrounded by her loving family.
Melba was born on June 11, 1923 in Tryon, Oklahoma to Loyd and Daisy Barclay.
She retired after 25 years in 1986 as church secretary from Sunny Lane UMC where she was a charter member. She continued to be an active part of the UMW and served on many church and scholarship committees up until recent years.
Melba was a 50 year member of Del City Eastern Star and was active with Ron and Pam when they were part of Del City DeMolay Chapter and Del City Rainbow Assembly. Herschel and Melba were members of the Rollin' Okies where they traveled around the country in their motor home. They were also volunteers with the Christmas Connection for over twenty years. Melba especially enjoyed working with the people that came in to make their selection for their families.
She might have been only 4'10" but she was mighty with a heart of gold. Over the last several years, as Melba struggled with dementia, she never acted like she didn't know you and there was never a time she didn't have a smile on her beautiful face. She was a loving and giving person that everyone adored.
Melba was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who lived her life sharing love and hospitality to all. She loved to sew, do her ceramics, make craft items for the annual church bazaar and each time that you saw Melba, she always made sure she had enough of her handmade dish rags that everyone received one. Melba also loved to quilt and her quilts were so beautiful that everyone vied for one. She made sure that each of her children and grandchildren had their own special quilt. Each quilt was stitched with her undying love for them.
Whether you called her Melba, Mom, Grandma, MawMaw, Little GiGi, or Aunt Melba she was always there. The love that she showed her family throughout their lives will live on forever as they share that love with others. The legacy of her kindness and generous nature will always be remembered.
Melba was a special angel from the day that she was born and we know that God welcomed her home with open arms.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, step mother Wanda Barclay, and sister Nina Fay Little.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years Herschel; son Ron and his wife Paulette of Oklahoma City; daughter Pam Harper and her husband Tom of Houston; four grandsons - Michael Lane and his wife Amanda; Grant Harper; Jeff Harper and his wife Adrienne; Sam Harper; and three great grandchildren - Andrew Lane, Piper Lane and Jerich Harper who will arrive in late March; and an abundance of loving nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, February 20 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Ford Funeral Home, 305 S. Sooner Rd, Midwest City.
Services will be Thursday, February 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Sunny Lane United Methodist Church in Del City.
