Melba Lee Atkins

November 30, 1931 - December 2, 2021

Melba Lee Nelson Atkins, 90, a lifelong resident of Bartlesville, died Thursday. Melba was born November 30, 1931, in Bartlesville, to Alfred “Red” and Clara Nelson. Melba graduated from Bartlesville College High in 1950. She met the love of her life, Lee, by chance or as Melba used to say, “divine intervention,” and they were united in marriage on December 3, 1950, in Bartlesville. He preceded her in death after 66 years of loving marriage on August 8, 2016. Melba retired from Phillips Petroleum Co. after serving 24 years as a Research and Development secretary, then as a temporary employee in various departments for three years. There was one year when she worked in Pipeline taking special assignments from the president, Mr. Schriver, and acting as his administrative assistant, as needed. Melba’s previous employment was with the Bartlesville Credit Bureau. After employment with Phillips Petroleum Co., Melba returned to attend Success Secretarial School to take a class in Chemical Shorthand given by Maud Gorman. She said, “Being the only student in this class, I had to pay attention!” She also furthered her education at Bartlesville Wesleyan College. Melba also took a computer technology class at Tulsa Community College and obtained a Certified Professional Secretary Certificate in 1977. She was a past member of Secretaries International. Melba was active in the community and volunteered at Green Country Free Clinic for many years. She was a past member of Eastern Star #142. Melba enjoyed music and taught herself to pay the mountain dulcimer and the auto harp. Her grandchildren remember Melba as always keeping suckers on hand for them and cookies in the cookie jar. She loved to read, work puzzles and write poetry. Her poetry was published in “Senior Oklahoma Poetry” for three years and in “Great Poems of Our Time” National Library of Poetry. Survivors include one daughter, Rebecca Lea (Becky) McClure and husband Samuel; grandchildren, Brandy Secondine and husband Josh, Shane Miller and wife Marie, Cameron Atkins, Angel Atkins Doherty, Christopher Atkins, William Lee (Bill) Atkins, Stephanie McClure Lewallen and husband the Rev. Phillip Lewallen, and Samuel “Sam” Henry McClure, Jr.; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and brother Carl “Sarge” Nelson. She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Willard “Lee”, two sons, Timothy Wayne Atkins and Alvin Atkins. Melba’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Rd, Bartlesville, on Tue, from 6-8 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Tue from 10-8 and Wed 9-12. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Wed at Town and Country Christian Church, with pastor Lanny Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.