Phyllis Joan Melvin

Phyllis Joan Melvin was born July 23, 1933, in Drumright, Oklahoma, to Jeff and Ethel Hunter. An only child with an outgoing spirit, she was very social from an early age and was deeply rooted in the First Baptist Church of Drumright, where she was enrolled in the Cradle Roll at just two weeks old. Through her parents’ faithful service, Phyllis learned to love the Lord, gave her life to Christ at age nine, and was baptized the following Sunday.

As a child, she enjoyed gardening with her parents, singing, playing the piano, roller skating, and arts and crafts.

She attended Drumright High School and was active in the Glee Club all four years. She directed the Freshman play, acted in the Senior play, was a member of the National Local Thespian Society, and won the National Thespian Award her Senior year. She was a Business Manager on the Gusher Yearbook Staff, the Senior Manager for the “B” Girls Basketball Team, and an Attendant in the Queen’s Coronation Court. She was also a member of the high school choir & Junior Training Union at her church. Even juggling all these activities, she kept her grades high and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She graduated high school in 1951.

Phyllis attended Draughon’s Business College in Tulsa, graduating in 1953, and later returned to Drumright where she met Jewel Alton “Al” Petty. After hearing her beautiful alto voice in church, Al knew he had to meet her. They married on December 30, 1954, and were blessed with five children: Gayla, Brenda, Cathy, Jeff, and Christi. Together, Phyllis and Al emphasized education, fun family activities, church involvement, and most importantly, a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Al passed away unexpectedly in 1975 after 21 years of marriage. His loss was a devastating blow for the entire family.

Phyllis relocated the family to Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1983, where she became a licensed Realtor before later serving as office manager and bookkeeper for the Edmond First Baptist Church Childcare Center.

In 1988, she met Harold Melvin, and the two married in 1989. They shared 33 joyful years together, filled with travel, music, ministry, family gatherings, and a deep love for church life, until Harold’s passing in 2022.

In her last years, Phyllis often told the Lord she was ready to go to her Heavenly home. On January 16, 2026, He answered her prayers, and said, “Your work on earth is complete. Welcome home.” She was 92.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeff and Ethel Hunter; husbands Al Petty and Harold Melvin; sons-in-law Ken Ray Symes and Myral Moran; and grandson Clay Symes.

Survivors include her children, Gayla Moran of Edmond, OK; Brenda Symes of Yukon, OK; Cathy House and husband Steve of Orlando, FL; Jeff Petty and wife Jana of Edmond, OK; and Christi Naler and husband Chris of Fort Worth, TX.

Stepdaughters, Lisa Brown of Oklahoma City, OK, and Lori Thereon and husband Doug of Newalla, OK.

Grandchildren: Coby Moran and wife Jennifer; Clint Symes and wife Alecia; Brent Symes and wife Odessa; Jessica Hayes and husband Jarrod; Ashley Moore and husband Branden; Rebecca Martin and husband Brad; and Samuel Naler.

Great-grandchildren: Ella, Hunter, Heston, Kensley, Blakely, Averie, and Easton. All of whom will continue to be grateful for her lively spirit, love of music, and legacy of faith.