Barbara Opal Melhorn

Born September 22, 1928 in Decatur, Alabama as the fourth of six children, to Edward and Mary Matthews. She attended schools in Decatur and Phoenix, Arizona and graduated from high school in Phoenix in 1946. On December 20, 1946, she married Reginald Melhorn. They had been married 56 years when he died in 2003.

As a pastor's wife, she lived in several cities in Southern California, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington throughout her adult life, most recently Shoreline and Everett, Washington. She attended nursing school at Everett Community College, graduating with an Associate's Degree in nursing in 1972. As a Registered Nurse, she specialized in inpatient cardiac care, including 14 years at Swedish Hospital until retiring in 1993.

Barbara was a lifelong Baptist and contributed to causes she was passionate about, including various Christian missions, pro-life efforts, and Veteran's charities. She was an excellent seamstress who sewed clothes for her children and grandchildren and she loved her kitties. She especially enjoyed rocking babies and babysitting her grandchildren when they were small.

Survivors include her 3 children: Dr. Timothy Melhorn of Yakima, Deborah (and David) Schreffler of Bellevue, and Melissa (and Mark) Ellis of Manilla, Philippines, along with 13 grandchildren and 19 (and counting) great-grandchildren, her sister Jewel of Alabama and brothers Everett of Florida and Lannie of Colorado. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Reginald and her brothers Edward and Carl.

Thanks to the staff of A Beautiful Place Adult Foster Home for their professional and loving care for Barbara during her final three years.