Rosalie Joan Chavis

Rosalie was born on September 26, 1929, in Oilton, Oklahoma, to Nellie Frances Kiester and Ernest Smith Kiester. She grew up alongside her sisters, Ruth, Elenor, Dorothy, and her brother, Loren.

While attending Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, she met Leroy “Roy” Melton. They married in 1948 and became parents of their son, David Melton in 1952. After Roy’s death in 1990, Rosalie married Olin Donald “Don” Chavis in 1992. Following Don’s death in 2017, she continued to make her home in Oklahoma City.

Rosalie enjoyed a long and accomplished career. For many years, she worked at the Federal Aviation Administration research center in Oklahoma City, where her work involved working with those who studied the effects of aircraft accidents. She later joined Roy and David in the family’s petroleum landman brokerage business in the late 1979. Rosalie went on to work as an independent petroleum landman until retiring in her late 70s. Over the course of her career, she worked with company landmen from numerous oil and gas companies, including Shell Oil Company, Berry Petroleum, Devon, and Kerr-McGee, on projects throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, and Texas.

Known as “Rosie” to many, she was also affectionately called “Blondie.” The nickname began after she changed her auburn hair to blonde in the 1960s, and it remained with her for the rest of her life.

To her son, David, and his friends, Rosalie was the “fun” mom. She encouraged his love of music and welcomed his band to practice in the family garage while he was growing up. Despite the noise, she never complained. She loved OU football, traveling, and embracing life. Those who knew her will remember her ready smile, regardless of the circumstances.

Raised in the Baptist church, Rosalie remained eager to deepen her understanding of the truth of the Bible. In 2017, she began an in-depth study and devoted herself diligently to it over the next two years. On May 25, 2019, at the age of 89, she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Roy Melton; her second husband, Olin Donald “Don” Chavis; her brother, Loren Kiester; and her sisters, Ruth Ramsey and Elenore Watson.

She is survived by her son, David Melton and his wife, Teresa, of Oklahoma City; her granddaughter, Joy Melton of Mustang, Oklahoma; her great-grandchildren, Kegan Munda and Marshall Davidson of Mustang; her step-grandson, Rob Stevenson of Fruita, Colorado; and her stepson, Alan Chavis, and his wife, Cherie, of Fruita, along with their children, Preston Chavis, Greg Chavis, Beck Lamar, and Megan Lamar. She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; Dorothy’s children, Benny Chappelle, Wes Chappelle, Karen Ortiz, and Rachell Oliva; numerous nieces and nephews throughout Oklahoma, California, Colorado, and Arizona; and her best friend, Marva Minor of Oklahoma City.

Rosalie was deeply loved by the many people who had the privilege of knowing her. Her family looks forward to being with her forever in a restored paradise earth through the wonderful resurrection hope given by our loving heavenly Father, Jehovah.

“The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” —John 5:28, 29

“And death will be no more.” —Revelation 21:4