MELBA L. WHITFORD
May 6, 1936 to May 16, 2026
The Village, Oklahoma

Melba's Obituary

Melba Louise Whitford, 90, of the Jones/Harrah area, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Melba was born on May 6, 1936, at the Home Place, West Ely, Missouri to Albert and Laura Kaden. She was baptized, educated, and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church and its affiliated school. She attended Palmyra High School and graduated in 1954.

On October 30, 1955, she married Arthur C. Drebes at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Together they lived in Palmyra, Missouri, and later in Quincy from 1957 to 1959 before returning to Marion County. During that time, Melba worked various office jobs in Quincy while Arthur worked for Gardner Denver Inc.. Their daughter, Melanie Kay Drebes, was born on March 31, 1968. Arthur and Melba later divorced in 1971.

That same year, Melba moved to Springfield, where she worked in a local health food store. In 1972, she met Charles D. Whitford, and the two were married on December 30, 1973, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. In 1976, Melba moved to Oklahoma, first living in Harrah before making her home in the Jones/Harrah area for the next 50 years.

Melba was deeply involved in her community and church throughout her life. She was active in the Harrah Roundup Club and participated in many local school activities. She served as manager at Spencer’s Orchard in Harrah and was heavily involved in 4-H. Melba entered numerous flowers, crafts, and food items in Oklahoma county and state fairs, earning many first- and second-place ribbons over the years.

She also served as a docent at the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, where she enjoyed giving tours and sharing her love for Oklahoma history. Melba was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Above all, she loved her faith, her church, and her family.

Melba especially cherished her grandchildren, Gage and Lauren Dockrey, and was completely smitten with her great-granddaughter, Aspyn Rose Dockrey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Laura Kaden; her sister, Eunice Fisher; and her former husband, Arthur C. Drebes.

She is survived by her brother, Wayne Kaden; her daughter, Melanie Bradford; her grandson, Gage Dockrey; her granddaughter, Lauren Dockrey; and her great-granddaughter, Aspyn Rose Dockrey.

Her kindness, dedication to family, and love for her community will be remembered by all who knew her.