Melba Jean Burns Spain was born on April 1, 1934 in Vinita, OK to Arley Lafayette Burns and Elva Kathryn (Cox) Burns. She passed in her sleep unexpectedly on Sunday morning, October 14, 2018 at her home in Tulsa, OK at the age of 84 years, 6 months & 13 days.
Melba was the second of four daughters and graduated from Vinita High School and Draughons School of Business. She enjoyed a 19-year career at Sooner Pipe and Supply beginning as a secretary and working her way up to Special Services Manager in charge of inside sales for drill pipe, with business contacts all over the world. She always valued the privilege of working alongside Mr. Henry Zarrow throughout her career. Melba was an avid member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha for 51 years and won numerous awards and commendations for work and support of St. Judes Children's Hospital. She displayed a remarkable breadth of philanthropic support for many causes, including organizations focused on sick children, Native Americans and Veterans.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Arley and Elva Burns and 1 sister, Lola Kinkade.
She is survived by her two sons: Dr. Michael Spain and his wife Cindy of Jenks, and Bruce Spain who is currently residing in Thailand, two grandchildren; Emily Spain Avalos and her husband Andrew and John Spain and his wife Bronwyn, four great-grandchildren; Audrey Avalos, Britton Avalos, Charlotte Avalos and Jess Spain, two sisters; Fern Schwartz of Phoenix, Arizona and Carolyn Womack of Tulsa, Oklahoma as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and longtime friends.
Melba Jean Burns Spain was born on April 1, 1934 in Vinita, OK to Arley Lafayette Burns and Elva Kathryn (Cox) Burns. She passed in her sleep unexpectedly on Sunday morning, October 14, 2018 at her home in Tulsa, OK at the age of 84 years, 6 months & 13 days.
Melba was the second of four daughters and graduated from Vinita High School and Draughons School of Business. She enjoyed a 19-year career at Sooner Pipe and Supply beginning as a secretary and working her way up to Special Services Manager in charge of inside sales for drill pipe, with business contacts all over the world. She always valued the privilege of working alongside Mr. Henry Zarrow throughout her career. Melba was an avid member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha for 51 years and won numerous awards and commendations for work and support of St. Judes Children's Hospital. She displayed a remarkable breadth of philanthropic support for many causes, including organizations focused on sick children, Native Americans and Veterans.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Arley and Elva Burns and 1 sister, Lola Kinkade.
She is survived by her two sons: Dr. Michael Spain and his wife Cindy of Jenks, and Bruce Spain who is currently residing in Thailand, two grandchildren; Emily Spain Avalos and her husband Andrew and John Spain and his wife Bronwyn, four great-grandchildren; Audrey Avalos, Britton Avalos, Charlotte Avalos and Jess Spain, two sisters; Fern Schwartz of Phoenix, Arizona and Carolyn Womack of Tulsa, Oklahoma as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and longtime friends.
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