Meldine (Mel) B. Henry

Meldine “Mel” Boyles Henry, Nan, to so many, wants us to know that after 93 well-lived years, her work here is done. On Sunday, November 29, 2020, she was reunited with her husband, as well as family and friends, whom she has not seen in a while. She left detailed instructions to celebrate her mission here, which was so generously completed.
Mel was born on January 24, 1927, in rural Payne County to Nelson (Nels) Miles Boyles and Thelma Irene (Rene) Stratton Boyles. The tenth of fourteen siblings, she would tell you they didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but they had a lot of love. They were a family of doers and there was never a dull minute. Mel’s life was a testament to this as she loved beyond measure, delighted in helping others, and found joy in every moment.
While attending school in Ralston, Mel met her high school sweetheart, Raymond “Doc” Henry, and on June 8, 1946, they were married. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Stillwater where Doc was enrolled at Oklahoma A&M College as a member of the first class of veterinary medicine. During his first set of finals, they welcomed their daughter, Ava Rae. In 1951, Doc, and by extension Mel, graduated from veterinary school. After graduation, they moved to Pawnee, and a year later they welcomed their son, Matthew Dean.
For 35 years, Doc and Mel ran a successful veterinary practice. While Doc captured everyone’s attention with his storytelling, care for animals, and musical talents, Mel perfected the art of suturing, quilting and sand plum jelly, maintained the clinic’s books, ranched with the cowboys in Ralston, and made sure everything and everyone was taken care of and running on time. Throughout their work and life, they found opportunities to travel and were blessed with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and numerous lifelong friends. Doc and Mel enjoyed 65 years together until his passing in 2012.
Pawnee was home and Mel was an integral part of the community and the First Christian Church, both of which she loved dearly. Always willing to volunteer, cook meals, and give of her time, Mel truly cared about the lives of others, and she was deeply committed to her faith. The Pawnee Chamber of Commerce once recognized Mel as the Citizen of the Year, and when noted for her volunteer efforts in the local newspaper, The Pawnee Chief, Mel said if she could live any place in the world it would be “right here”. Mel’s contributions extended beyond the Pawnee community through her past service on the Board of Directors for Judith Karman Hospice, a non-profit agency based in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Mel loved nothing more than to gather on “the back porch” at their home east of Pawnee with family, including her six grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. She also cherished time spent with her siblings. If a family gathering wasn’t being held, then you could almost always find her teaching a loved one how to quilt or sharing homemade pie. Wherever she was, there was always a cup of hot coffee and good conversation.
Mel is survived by daughter and husband, Ava and Lynn Osborn of Stillwater; son, Matthew Henry and Laura Kenny of Tulsa; grandchildren, spouses, and great-grandchildren, Jason and Ronna Osborn, Ben, Sam and Drew; Jamie and Lance Troester, Lilli; Julie Osborn and Matt Hollrah, Sadie Bea and Simon; John and Lori Henry, Laney, Haley and Lawson; Lacy and Shawn Henry-Fournier, Penelope, Aniston, Atticus and Wilder; Tyler and Nicole Henry, Jack and Emma; brother and wife, Clifford and Fonda Boyles of Broken Arrow; sister, Lois Furgason of Chickasha; nieces, nephews, family and friends too numerous to list but not forgotten.
Mel is reunited with her husband, Raymond “Doc” Henry; parents Nels and Rene Boyles; brothers and sisters, Nelson Boyles, Helen Hilbert, Jack Boyles, Joe Boyles, Virginia Sikes Cole, Opal Nugent, Kenneth Boyles, Edith Hill, Norma Brown and Mel’s twin sister, Maxine.
Mel will be greatly missed, but her love and gracious spirit will live on in all who knew her.
Due to Covid, the family hopes to gather with loved ones at a later date to celebrate Mel’s life.
Memorial contributions may be made to The First Christian Church of Pawnee Building Fund, P.O. Box 207, Pawnee, OK 74058.