Merlene Elizabeth Nave was born Nov. 18, 1936, in Lyons, Kan., and went to be with her Lord Jesus Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, after a brief illness.
Merlene was preceded in death by her parents, Merrill C. and Norma Jean Grove; and two brothers Roger Grove and Frank Lucas.
Merlene is survived by her husband of 50 years James D. Nave; son David Nave and wife Debbie, of Salina, Kan.; daughter Lori and husband Rodney Brown, of Broken Arrow; four grandsons James Daniel Nave, Darin Julious Nave, Ryan McKinley Brown and Zachary Evan Brown; two great-granddaughters Christina Nave and McKayla Nave; one great-grandson David Nave; her dear friends Mary Ann Ellis, Dorothy Angelo, Connie Martin, Donna Baxter and a host of other friends.
A Little Friends Kindergarten teacher for seventeen years, Merlene was also a piano teacher for more than ten years. She retired from Security National Bank in 1999 after 20 years of service. In 2002 she returned to the bank, now First United, working part time until her illness.
Always a very active and multi-talented person, Merlene was involved in several local and regional community theatre groups where she appeared in numerous well known productions. A member of the Zi Beta Phi Sorority, Chapter Beta Sigma Phi, she was also active in some just-for-fun-groups, namely the Red Hat Society.
She entertained at nursing homes and senior centers with the Kitchen Kats Band, always lifing the spirits of those to whom she ministered. Merlene was always generously sharing her time, talents, and great smile and bubbly personality.
Her ability to literally become the character she protrayed and bring you along with her was truly amazing. She gave joy. A God-given gift that she shared so generously. She was always giving the glory to her Heavenly Father in all things.
Merlene's church home, First Baptist Church, of Sapulpa, and the family of which she was a member, was so important to her. She was a member of Adult 2 Sunday School Department and very active in the Adult Choir, serving as Choir President.
She was chairman of the Senior Adult Ministry Team and the driving force behind the Ladies Piano Praise Group.
Merlene's life was filled with love for her family, her friends, her church family and her community. She is sharing that love today in the choirs of Heaven and we shall see her again. Rejoice!
Services for Merlene will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Green Hill Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to the Building For Life fund of First Baptist Church Sapulpa.
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