Melba Lee Mallory was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma on August 27, 1924, the middle child of Clay and Ora Lee Brooks-Ratliff. Mel passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 with her daughter Gayle Welling and niece Diane Christensen at her bedside.
When Melba was two years old, the family moved to the Downey, California area where she lived until moving to Oakdale in 1946.
Melba graduated from Downey High School and married her High School sweetheart, Chet Mallory, prior to him leaving for England where he served as a B-17 pilot during WWII. They had 74 years of happiness together.
One of their fond memories was in 1991 when they visited Thurleigh, England, where Chet was stationed and where she had mailed letters to him daily. They had a private tour of the airfield and were able to stop at the actual runway where Chet had taken off on missions.
Mel’s family always came first. While her children, Phillip and Gayle, were growing up, she was a Blue Bird leader and Cub Scout leader and was active in their activities, so it wasn’t until the 1980s that she started working at her husband’s Cloverland Realty in Oakdale which she retired from 30+ years later.
She was a very compassionate and loving person who abided by the Golden Rule.
Mel had many talents. She enjoyed interior decorating, landscaping architect and cooking. She loved to make strawberry jam which she shared with the family and friends. She excelled in concocting delicious desserts. Her artistic abilities were unlimited. Several of her paintings hung in her home. She loved to have “projects” going constantly.
Mel’s enjoyment of life also included reading, sewing and her many Bible studies.
She enjoyed sharing their cabin in Sugar Pine with family and friends and cooked many fish dinners following their fishing expeditions on Pinecrest Lake.
Her compassionate nature provided comfort and friendship to family and friends alike.
From the time the Oak Valley Hospital was built in 1970, Mel was a volunteer in the Auxiliary. She served as Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and enjoyed working in the Gift Shop.
Mel was an active member of the Oakdale Church of the Nazarene since her arrival in 1946. Throughout her entire life, she considered the church to be a major part of her being. In Oakdale she was active in every area of the church having served as a teacher, Bible Study Leader and in the choir. She has served on the Church Board and as a Greeter. Her love of people and strong faith will serve as an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Mel is survived by her children, Philip Mallory and Gayle (Joe) Welling; grandsons Caleb Parr, Michael (Jennifer) Jason and Jake (Gabrielle) Lutz; great grandson Logan Alexander Lutz; great-granddaughters, Myli Dawn Henke, Khloe Leanne Jason, Frankie Dawn Makar Jason, Tristin Riley Lutz.
She also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.
Many lives have been enriched by her presence, love and friendship. She will be missed by all who knew her, but her spirit will live on through those who continue to make this world a better place by giving of themselves.
A graveside service was held on October 7, 2024 at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery in Hughson, CA with family and close friends attending.
Please consider memorial gifts to the Church of the Nazarene in Oakdale or a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in her name or Hospice Services.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Oct. 16, 2024
