Melinda (Rathbun) Tewell was placed in this world on January 2, 1938 to be loved and taught the way of Jesus by Ellis and Merle Rathbun, in Tulsa Okla. All of her school days were spent in Tulsa Public Schools graduating from the Old Central High School in 1956. Melinda’s spiritual teachings by mom and dad and other loved ones, involved her being baptized on June 1, 1946 at the age of 8-years-old.

Melinda completed her course of this life at 6:30 a.m. on November 24, 2009, leaving her husband Philip of the home at Mounds, one daughter Brenda Tewell in Tulsa, one son Jerry and his wife Felicia in Kellyville, one son Danny and his wife Barbara in Watonga, Okla., one daughter Kathy Heidling in Texas. Four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters.

Philip was asked to go on a blind date, the first date was a dog, the second blind date Philip saw Melinda come in and saw how attractive she was and he thought it would be his friend’s date, and then the second girl came in, she wasn’t near as pretty, nor as well dressed, the four of them went to the car. The friend put the second girl in the back seat and got in with her, that left Philip and Melinda to get in the front seat. That worked out well for Philip. Then, on October 26, 1956, at Tulsa Central Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Melinda became Mrs. Philip Tewell.

Melinda took classes to prepare herself for Tax Recording. She spent 20 years working for H&R Block as Bookkeeper/Tax Person, at her retirement she was working as co-Manager of her appointed unit.

While working she helped Philip prepare for his promotion exams known as the Red Book exams in the Tulsa Fire Department, which she has now retired from.

The exam was offered once a year in April and if you did not get the highest scores, you had to wait a year to re-exam. Philip got two promotions, first Driver and then Captain.

From their young married life of work, home, and play they have raised two boys, Jerry & Danny and two girls Brenda & Kathy. Like most other families they enjoyed their special sports, bowling , playing bingo and table games, taking walks in the park, and playing touch football. Melinda found herself busy cooking for her family most of her spare time.

Melinda and Phil moved to Mounds in 1970.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday November 28, 2009 at Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Bill Hardee officiating.

Interment will follow in Mounds Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jerry Tewell, Danny Tewell, Chris Tewell, Larry Krebs, Cameron Soltani and Jordan Rhoads.

Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
 

Complied and transcribed by Zoey Fryhover, 2009.