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Sally Ann was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in April of 1948. She, along with her brother Earl, was adopted by Winston and Virginia Galbraith of Oklahoma City in May of 1952. When she wasn’t at dance class or busy with the youth at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Sally could be found with her friends or with her father at Lincoln Park Golf Course, objecting to the life lessons promised to eventually result from being an unpaid caddy.
Sally attended Putnam City Schools until her senior year when Winston went into business 75 miles northwest and moved the family to Enid, Oklahoma. Sally talked about the difference in the schools and how she gave it a try but soon decided that beauty school would be a more lucrative option than cutting class and smoking with the kids who were, as the EHS new student tour guide described, “low.” Sally completed her course of study at Enid Beauty College in August of 1965 and moved into the “Kennedy House” on Broadway with several other girls (and Mrs. Kennedy) to begin her life as a modern career gal. She worked at Hair Designers in the Midwestern Inn until her first child was born.
In 1967 Sally met a ginger soldier on leave from Vietnam. Bill Melvin was tall, handsome, and just as witty as she was. Plus, the magic of cruising Van Buren (the lights, music, and exhaust fumes from those old cars) made it a prime environment for love to bloom. Bill returned to Vietnam where the two continued their relationship through letters and fell in love, marrying in 1968. The marriage survived Vietnam, two dramatic daughters Angela Dawn and Amy Renae, a major oilfield injury, an oil boom and an oil bust. In the end it could not survive everything altogether and ended amicably in 1981.
During her married years Sally not only made a lovely home but she was also a Blue Birds leader, and an avid golfer, serving as President of the Meadowlake Women’s Golf Association (twice!) in the late 1970s -- even winning tournaments hosted by the MWGA and other area courses. She cut and styled hair for many Golf Association ladies at her kitchen table and participated in carpools to get the neighborhood kids to and from school. Just before separating from Bill, Sally re-entered the workforce as a receptionist at Tintype Studio in Enid.
Sally then began work at Meadowlake Golf Course as the Assistant Pro Shop Manager, where she knew everybody’s name and had a smile or a joke for all. 13 years later she decided it was time for a change and enrolled in Medical Assisting at Autry Tech, soon working for Parkview Family Practice then for and eventually retiring from Integris Health. She was named Employee of the Month while at Integris and just like the golf course, she knew everyone’s name, had a smile for all and a kind word for those who were suffering—which included patients and co-workers!
Sally loved her family and was proud of her daughters, but the ultimate gifts were her grandsons: Jake born in 1995 and Myka born in 2003. She discovered true joy in her time singing and reading to them as little guys and was
always available to help in their care. Grandma was and will always be their favorite. How could she not be with donuts and Dr. Pepper for breakfast if they asked?
After retirement, Sally became active with Garland Road Church of Christ where she volunteered with their Food Pantry and was able to participate in a mission trip to the Philippines. She had some life changing experiences while there, and according to others on the trip she caused some life changing experiences for those on the island. When Sally was 70, she was able to accompany her son in law’s 94-year-old grandmother to visit her family who were serving as missionaries in Croatia. From there they took a Mediterranean cruise and drove to Slovenia, which was Sally’s favorite for its beauty.
In 2017 Sally decided to move to Oklahoma City. She didn’t want to leave the town where she had lived, worked, fell in love, and raised her children but knew it was for the best to be closer to her doctors. She lived independently until moving into Quail Ridge Senior Living in May 2023, where she and mini dachshund Dolly (not pictured above) became quite popular. Sally (with her wheeled walker) zipped around to bingo and puzzles, association meetings and meals until a bout of pneumonia seemed to zap all her energy for good. Two months to the day after a lung cancer diagnosis, Sally took her last breath in Mercy Hospice on Monday, August 19, 2024. She was with family until the moment she ran to The Lord.
Sally is survived by her daughters, Angela Dawn Melvin of Enid, and Amy Renae Nichols (husband Kevin Nichols) of Oklahoma City; Grandsons Jacob A. Melvin of Edmond, and Myka W. Melvin of Enid; sister-in-law Anita (Melvin) Readnour of Yukon, as well as many nieces and nephews. Those who were waiting for her with open arms, tears of joy and cries of “there she is!” include her parents, brother Earl Galbraith, sister Susan (White) Scroggins, grandparents Earl and Merle Galbraith and Frank and Esther Rupple; biological parents J.D. McCullar and Elta Juanita Travis; biological sister Elta Elizabeth McCullar; ex-husband turned good friend Bill Melvin and his wife Myra Melvin.
Sally was also preceded by too many friends, loved ones and co-workers to count or name because she made such deep connections with so many. The family is comforted knowing that Sally has not only seen Jesus’ face and heard God’s voice but also because she has donned her winged roller skates and is tearing it up to the sounds of worship, laughter, and love. All her world is love now. And for that her family can rest and be grateful.
A Celebration of Sally Ann’s Life will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2024, in the Anderson Burris Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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