Melva Jean Stephenson (McNatt) Whitfield

Melva Jean (McNatt) Stephenson Whitfield was born on August 3, 1945 in Chickasha, OK to Melvin and Wanda (Vance) McNatt. She passed away on January 3, 2023, in Yukon, OK, at the age of 77. Melva grew up in Binger, OK, and Santa Paula, CA. She was 15 when they moved back to Binger. Melva married Frank Stephenson on February 9, 1965, in Binger, OK. To this union were born Donnie, Tawnja, and Darla. Frank preceded her in death on September 22, 2000. She later married Brice Whitfield on April 30, 2004, in Wichita Falls, TX, and they spent 18 happy years together. Melva was a woman of many talents; she was a member of the gospel group, The Followers for 45+ years, made free wedding cakes for the surrounding communities, catered many baby showers, and catered the Square Dance Association dinners every year. Melva’s grandparents pioneered the Binger Church of God, and they, along with her parents, instilled in her a strong desire for her family to come to know the Lord. Melva’s favorite verse, 3 John 1:4, was a source of great joy and inspiration for her "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Melva took this verse to heart and deeply cared that her family, her children, and her grandchildren would walk in the truth of Jesus Christ. Knowing that her children and grandchildren had a personal relationship with the Lord was one of the things Melva was most proud of. She was a longtime member of the Binger Church of God for over 62 years, where she taught Sunday School for 45 years to teenagers. Her home was always open to all; most never even knocked and could always count on no judgment and a willing ear to listen. Melva truly enjoyed witnessing and singing about the Lord. She worked at Binger City Hall as City Clerk for 13 years. She worked as a cook at Binger Public Schools for 18 years. She worked as a pharmacy clerk for many years after. She loved working with the public, as it allowed her to witness and share the love of Jesus with everyone she encountered.  Melva will be remembered for her distinctive sayings (commonly referred to as "grandma-isms"), her great sense of humor, her heartfelt prayers, and above all, her great love for the Lord and her family. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors Include: her husband, Brice Whitfield of Binger, OK, her children, Donnie Stephenson and wife Gayla of Binger, OK , Tawnja Gray and husband Todd of El Reno, OK, and Darla Smith and husband Barry of Mustang, OK, her grandchildren, Wisper Howell and husband Jordan of Binger, OK, Destinee Kibler and husband Ryan of Odessa, TX, Shadow Drum Stephenson and wife Ruby of Binger, OK, Jantzen Gray and wife Nicole of Yukon, OK, Jacoby Gray and wife Amy of Yukon, OK, JaKenzee Nuzum and husband Dillon of OKC, OK, Chazen Smith and wife Erin of Mustang, OK, Shayden Smith and wife Becca of Yukon, OK, Stori Bass and husband Kenny of Yukon, OK and Chandin Morrow and husband JW of Yukon, OK, her great grandchildren, Keira Howell, Madison Kibler, Morgan Kibler, Harper Gray, Kohen Gray, Kollins Gray, Kobi Addison Gray, Finn Gray, Oliver Nuzum, Sunny Smith, and Alder Smith, brothers in law, Gilbert Stufflebeam of Binger, OK, Don Farrow of FL, Walter Stephenson and wife Dixie of Hinton, OK, Andy Stephenson and wife Bea of OKC, OK, Sisters in law, Lillie Peach of Hinton, OK, Eva Gardener of Hydro, OK, Jessi Poos and husband Steve of OKC, OK, Cheryl Stephenson of Binger, OK, and Jerri North of St Peters, MO, as well as many other relatives and friends.

Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Wanda McNatt; her husband, Frank Stephenson; her siblings, Darlene Farrow, Jan Bentley, and Debbie Stufflebeam; her in-laws, Alan Bentley, Billy Stephenson, Raylene Barrow, Kathren DuBois, Rose Delmar, Alice Graham, Bea Murphy, Silas Peach, and Richie Timmers.  

Services:  New Vision Church of God, Saturday, 11:00 AM, January 7, 2023, Binger, OK

Officiating: Rev. Jantzen Gray, Rev. Kevin Bartley, and Mr. Shayden Smith

Burial: Murray Cemetery, Binger, OK

Services  under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Binger, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).

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