Letha Colbert Melton

She was the middle child of a very large family; 4 brothers and 4 sisters. She was born at home on a ranch in the middle of the Okanagan Valley. In her own words, “I grew up a tomboy chasing my older brothers.” Their homestead was so remote they rode everywhere on horseback. She met the love of her life (Claude Warren Melton) at the age of 19 while attending a Grange dance near Oroville, Washington. After a somewhat brief courtship they married and moved to Spokane. Several years later they had two children Steve (1950) and Barbara (Peregoy, 1954).

Lea quit work to be a “stay at home mom” but to occupy her time she took many classes on interior design and flower arranging. She became quite accomplished and was soon judging flower shows. Her favorite was a grand flower show in the Davenport Hotel. She loved landscaping and was forever “working in her yard.” Once Steve and Barbara were school age she started working at Seattle-First Bank in Opportunity, Washington. She retired from Seattle-First with 20 years of service.

“Retirement” for Lea and Warren was consumed with working side by side building a cabin at 49 Degrees North, a home on 10 acres near Chewelah and lastly a home on the Chewelah Golf Course. Lea and Warren were married 57 years. After Warren passed away in 2004, Lea moved back to the Spokane Valley. She was sad to leave her beautiful yard but made wonderful friends living out her days at Orchard Crest. Lea “adopted” Bob and Barbara’s yard and it was common to come home and find her enjoying the patio with their dog Hershey by her side and a can of diet Coke in her hand.

Lea is also survived by 5 grandchildren Anne (Mike), Kelly, Matthew (Lori), Stephen (Breonica) and William; and 2 great- grandchildren Ronan and Reece. Her son Steve preceded her in death in 2010. Friends and family are invited to attend her celebration of life at Gethsemane Lutheran Church January 19th at 2:00. The family is grateful for the condolences but declines flowers. Any donations can be made to the Gethsemane Lutheran School.