Melinda E. Nivens was born March 27, 1950, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Jesse and Marie Stubblefield Millsap. Melinda passed from this life Wednesday, January 17, 2006, at the Jefferson County Hospital at the age of fifty-six. Melinda and Sammie Nivens were married June 1, 1970, in Waurika, Oklahoma. She was a nurse and a homemaker.

Survivors include: her husband Sammie of the home in Ryan, OK; three sons - Pat Cox of Ft Worth, TX, Johnny Cox of Granbury, TX, and Chris Cox of Wanette, OK; three daughters - Teresa Wilson of Springtown, TX, Sharon Lockard of Springtown, TX, and Diane Hawks of Germany; fifteen grandchildren; and ten siblings.

She was preceded in death by two siblings.

A memorial service for Mrs. Nivens was held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 22, 2007, at the Dudley Funeral Home Chapel in Waurika, Oklahoma, with Rev. Curtis Plant officiating.