Melba Kaye McManus

Melba "Kaye" McManus was surrounded by family when she joined the love of her life in heaven on May 28th, 2023. Kaye was born in Oklahoma City on July 27th, 1936 to James Melvin and Floriene Nettie Maloney. She was an only child and loved her parents and family deeply. She was raised in Harrah, Oklahoma where she graduated high school and also met her high school sweetheart, Johnny McManus.
Kaye was a beloved daughter, wife, cousin, grandma, and great grandma. She and Johnny were wed on September 3rd, 1954 and shared 66 amazing years together. Some of her most precious memories included cheering on her boys through their various hobbies and endeavors such as calf roping, wrestling, football, and firefighting, supporting Johnny in anything he did, making Christmas candy with her children, grandchildren, and her cousin/best friend Sue, fishing for crappie and sand bass, running catfish jug lines, spending time at their second home at lake Eufaula, and going to deer camp. She had a special love for the outdoors - and just gave a magic touch to anything she put her hands on. She also enjoyed growing all kinds of vegetables, creating beautiful outdoor flower gardens and patio spaces, cooking wondrous spreads whether it be for a week night or holiday meal, "casino runs" all across Oklahoma, trips to Vegas, attending church with her family, Christmas time in Branson, taking her grandkids back to school shopping (making sure to always get them an Auntie Anne's pretzel and never forgetting to take one back home to Johnny), raising and racing quarter horses, and spending any and all time outdoors that she could.
Kaye was the most caring, loving, and grounded woman. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion. Making people feel special, seen, and loved was her specialty. She was a regular shopper at Hallmark and carefully hand selected each card and gift for every occasion. She was also a master chef that remembered everyone's favorite treat - and always made it from scratch for them. She will be deeply missed.
Kaye was preceded in death by her parents, cousin Sue Nickel, brother-in-law Larry McManus, and husband Johnny McManus. She is survived by her three boys whom she adored: Steve McManus and his wife, Beverly, Jim McManus and his wife, Terri, and David McManus and his wife, Terri; seven beloved grandchildren: Rachel Lewis and her husband, Sam, Lauren McManus, Jordan Bynum and her husband, Jason, Jenna McManus and her fiance Jacob, J.W. Morrison, J.B. McManus and his fiance Destiny, Benny McManus; five treasured great-grandchildren: Kylie, Brayden, Lanie, Tynlie, and Sawyer; two sister-in-laws: Viola Hightower and husband Foster, and Melba Forney and many nieces and nephews.