Jolene Melton Hicks, 88-year-old lifetime Vinita resident, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 29, 1935, in Dearing, Kansas to William Clell and Dorothy Dean (Pennell) Melton. Jolene was a 1953 graduate of Vinita High School. She taught at the Northeast Oklahoma Community Action HeadStart School. Jolene loved to cook, sing while cooking, word games, going to church, traveling, loving her grandchildren, and family gatherings. She always had her traditional new years day meal of black eyed peas for the family to enjoy. Jolene was a member of Cowboy Junction Church. She was the matriarchy of the family, enjoyed walking, even a few miles at a time, reading cookbooks front to back, trying out new recipes, drinking a diet coke out of her over 30 year old Shout and Sack mug, going shopping, and roaming around stores, Facetiming her great-grandson, listening to music, it was a great comfort to her. To know her was to love her. Jolene always prayed for protection, guidance, and the blood of Christ over all her loved ones. She even prayed with and saw God touching the hospital staff inside her room. She praised him until the very end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, father of her children, James Leroy Hicks, siblings, Carl Melton, Carrel D. “Deek” Melton, Bill Melton, Keith Melton, and Linda Bassett.

The family includes her children, Teresa Hicks of Vinita, Tracey Allen of Oklahoma, siblings, Jack Melton and wife Willa of Vinita, Terry “Whitey” Melton and wife Sue of Vinita, Joyce Mayo and husband Gilbert of Muskogee, sisters in law Dena Osborn of Muskogee, Loretta Melton of Tulsa, Annie Opal Evans of Spavinaw, grandchildren, Austin Hicks of Weleetka, Anna Bowzer and husband Brooks of Knob Noster, Missouri, great-grandson Deacon Brooks Bowzer, also of Knob Noster, Missouri, numerous other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel in Vinita with Pastor Kevin McGlasson officiating.. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita.