Melva Dean Cruzen

Melva Dean Cruzen, lifelong Cleveland resident, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home at the age of eighty-three. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at the Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Melva Dean was born on January 30, 1926 in Terlton, Oklahoma. She was the oldest daughter of Webb Jefferson and Bulah Emaline (Rainbolt) Fox. Melva Dean was raised and attended school in Cleveland, graduating from Cleveland High School with the Class of 1943. Shortly after graduation, Melva Dean was married to Harold Rex Cruzen on May 16, 1943 at the home of their pastor, Preacher Collins near Dog Center in rural Pawnee County, Oklahoma. The couple made their initial home in Cleveland and continued to be members of the community throughout their marriage; raising three children, Joy, Wayne and Janie. Melva Dean accepted employment with the State of Oklahoma in 1961 at the Hissom Memorial Center in Sand Springs. She worked for nearly twenty-five years in various capacities but mostly as a house mother, taking care of mentally challenged children; providing necessary medication and care. She retired in 1986. Melva Dean was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland for many years and later became a member at the Western Heights Baptist Church. She worked as a Sunday School teacher and assisted with Vacation Bible School for many years. After the death of her husband, Rex on December 23, 1984, Melva Dean became very active in the Cleveland Senior Citizenís Center. She enjoyed making ceramics and assisted for many years in the centerís fund raising effort with Memorial Day flowers. She was a strong advocate for a nutritional center in the community and the commencement of the senior lunch program provided at the Community Center. She enjoyed singing and had a beautiful voice; often singing at the local nursing home. She enjoyed playing bingo and also liked playing canasta. She also loved to work in her flower garden in her yard. One of her favorite events was traveling with her sisters to Branson. She loved her home town of Cleveland and was always involved in efforts to improve the living conditions and quality of life of her community. Melva Dean was described by her family and friends as a funny, caring and helpful person that could be a tad bit stubborn. She was extremely creative and enjoyed spending time with her sisters. She told everyone that her sister, Shirley was found in a cow pasture near their home. It seems Melva Dean has grown fond of being the only child and was nine years old when Shirley came along. She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Janie and Kelley Spencer of Muskogee, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren, Brandon Lewis, Brandi Lewis, Heather Martin, Paul Cruzen, Bryan Cruzen, Jeff Spencer, Brad Spencer and Kelley Spencer, Jr.; six great grandchildren; three sisters, Shirley Sallee of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Molly Gregory of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Liz Roberts of Cleveland, Oklahoma. In addition to her husband, Melva Dean was preceded in death by her parents; son, Harold Wayne Cruzen and a daughter, Joy Cruzen Martin.