MELISSA
SUZANNE UNWIN, daughter of Rick and Suzy Unwin, was born May
15, 1979 at Fairview , Oklahoma . She died Thursday
evening, August 17, 2006 at her home in Seiling following a
courageous battle with cancer. She was 27 years of
age.
Melissa was raised at Seiling and she attended Seiling
School , graduating from high school with the class of 1998.
While at Seiling School , Melissa participated in
basketball, performance group and band. She was also a
high school cheerleader. She continued her education at
Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva the following
two years. She was a devout Oklahoma State University
fan and there was no doubt in her mind, she wanted to wear
orange and black and earn her degree from OSU.
Melissa’s illness was diagnosed in October 2001. She
had numerous trips to doctor’s offices, Oklahoma and Texas
hospitals, still she was determined to graduate from her
beloved OSU. She persevered, set goals and in May
2006, Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Education. Her grade point earned her both Dean’s and
President’s Honor Roll. President Bush, in his
commencement address to her graduating class, mentioned
Melissa by name to recognize her for her “courage in
adversity” and “courage and compassion”. In
Stillwater , Melissa attended the First Assembly of God
Church. She was baptized at the Seiling Gospel
Lighthouse where she was a member and faithfully attended as
long as her health permitted.
She is survived by her parents, Rick and Suzy Unwin of
Seiling; her brother: Chris Unwin and his wife Vanessa of
Stillwater; maternal grandmother: Lillian McCulley of
Seiling and paternal grandmother: Kathern Unwin of Chester .
She is also survived by two aunts: Sheila Walker of
Mercedes, CA and Donna Medill and husband Mike of Woodward
and one uncle: Tom McCulley and wife Linda of Lawrenceville
, GA. She is also survived by many other relatives and
friends. She was preceded by both grandfathers: James
Thomas McCulley, Sr. in 1996 and Roy Dean Unwin in 2003.
The funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August
21, 2006 at the Elm Grove Church with Pastors Neil Unwin and
Orville White, officiating. Interment was in the Hope
Cemetery southeast of Chester under the direction of the
Redinger Funeral Home in Seiling. Memorials can be
made to the Hope Cemetery or to the Area Medical Foundation
through the funeral home at PO Box 236 - Seiling , OK 73663
.
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