Melbalene McCraw

Melbalene L. McCraw, better known as ?Meb? by family and friends, of Waldron, Arkansas (formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma) went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, February 5, 2013, in Waldron, Arkansas, surrounded by her loving family. Meb was born August 28, 1929, to Jim Franklin and Pearl (Edwards) Franklin in Parks, Arkansas. Meb was 83 years, 5 months and 8 days old. Meb attended The church at Battle Creek and Riverside Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Meb enjoyed music, especially gospel music and frequently attended concerts and singings with fellow church members. Meb worked in the insurance industry in Tulsa for most of her career, which spanned nearly sixty years. She liked to stay busy and was still working one day a week at age 79. In 2009, she moved from her long-time home in Tulsa back to her childhood town of Waldron due to health problems. Meb enjoyed travel and traveled extensively throughout the United States as well as making several trips abroad. She enjoyed people and was always ready to help anyone in need. She never met a stranger and kept up friendships that went all the way back to her childhood. She especially delighted in being around little children and spoiling them with treats. Meb also loved animals--her cats, the neighbors? pets and any stray cat or dog that came along. She often pet sat for neighbors and helped HALO Pet Rescue of Tulsa by fostering abandoned pets until they could be placed in permanent homes. Meb leaves behind to cherish her memory, two daughters: Donna Sue Austin and husband Mike of Longview, Texas, and Rebecca Tate and husband Lonnie of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Grandmama will forever be missed by six grandchildren: Donna (Austin) Santo, Daniel Austin, Joshua Tate, Jared Tate, Melissa (Tate) McCorkle and Ryan Tate, as well as six great grandchildren: Madison Santo, Macy Santo, Katherine Austin, Noah Austin, Elijah Austin and Clayton McCorkle. Meb is also survived by one brother, Bill Franklin, and his wife Pat. Meb will be missed by all who knew her and the many whose lives she touched, including a number of nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones. A celebration of Meb's life will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2013, at the Parks Baptist Church in Parks, Arkansas with Rev. Billy Harwell officiating. Interment will follow in the Parks Cemetery in Parks, Arkansas. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Men of Parks Baptist Church, Bub Franklin, Carlton McConnell, Philip McCorkle and Daniel Austin. Visitation will be Friday, February 8, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Parks Cemetery, c/o Kelly Cole, 12376 Bellevue Rd, Parks, AR 72950 or HALO Pet Rescue of Tulsa, c/o Mary Anne Jarrett, Director, 4654 E. 57th Street, Tulsa, OK 74135-4314.