Nita Kaye Meaders

Memorial service for Nita Kaye Meaders, age 86, will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Orr Gray Gish Chapel with Rev. Les Banks officiating. She passed away on July 5, 2025. She was born on January 28, 1939, in Frederick, Oklahoma, to Logan and Sallie Spain. She was the youngest of two children and was adored by her older sister Lenora, along with many aunts and uncles who doted on her throughout her childhood.
Nita Kaye had a lively upbringing and formed a close bond with her horse, Lucky. With her father serving as police chief, she spent much of her time at the local jail, growing up in an environment full of structure, humor, and small-town adventure. She played high school basketball and liked to say she was one of the better players on the team.
She met and married Arlan Meaders, a gentle and even-tempered man, and together they shared 67 years of marriage until his passing in July 2023. Their union was a partnership of love, balance, and devotion, raising two children-Mark and Michell-while traveling, building friendships, and making countless memories together.
The couple moved soon after both children were born to Artesia, New Mexico, where Arlan worked in bookkeeping for a local gin, and Nita Kaye took a position as assistant manager at a dress shop-where she cultivated a lifelong love of shopping and fashion. Their path would later lead them to Lubbock and Plainview, Texas, before finally returning to their roots in Tillman County.
Once back home, Nita Kaye became a cotton broker for Dunevant and quickly earned a reputation as one of the best. Trusted deeply by local farmers, Nita Kaye was known for her determination and negotiating skills. They knew she would fight to get them the best possible price for their cotton, and her word was as good as gold. Her fairness, loyalty, and advocacy made her a standout in the cotton industry. She also proudly served as chairwoman of the Maid of Cotton Organization. After her time as a cotton broker, she worked for Carr and Sons and later earned her realtor license, going on to work for Ash Realty. Her work ethic and people skills continued to shine through in every role she took on.
Nita Kaye was a member of the First Baptist Church in Frederick and a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, where she shared her humor, leadership, and wit.
She was also known for her competitive spirit and sense of fun. She was an avid card player and spent many joyful hours at the table with her girlfriends. With her grandchildren, she loved to play Chickenfoot, a family favorite filled with laughter and playful rivalry.
Her most cherished role, though, was being "Mimi." She poured her heart into her family and created a home filled with warmth, generosity, and unconditional love. She was the proud matriarch of the family- steady, nurturing, and always present. Even in the face of numerous health challenges, Nita Kaye showed tremendous strength and resilience, facing each obstacle with courage and grace.
Thanksgiving and Christmas were grand productions at Mimi's house, where everyone was welcome, the food was endless, and the memories were priceless. No one knocked at her door-you just walked in. Her kitchen was legendary, especially her fried chicken on the Fourth of July. She rocked and sang nursery rhymes to generations of grandchildren, creating traditions that will live on for years to come.
She loved stories, a little gossip, and a lot of family. To Mimi, her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren were the best the world had ever seen-and she made sure they believed it too.
Nita Kaye Meaders is survived by her son, Mark Meaders of Frederick; her daughter, Michell Culbreath and husband Charles of Tulsa; grandchildren, Kayla Challacombe and husband Corry of Frederick, Kendall Gunter and husband John of Blanchard, Chance Culbreath of Tulsa, Courtney McEndree of Tulsa, and Cale Culbreath and wife Tiffany of Tulsa. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Makenzie, Caris, and Kinley Challacombe; Knox and Greer Gunter; Jon, Cade, and Ainsley McEndree; and one great-great-granddaughter, Colynn.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlan Meaders; her parents, Logan and Sallie Spain; and her sister, Lenora Patton.
Nita Kaye's legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the family she raised, and the joy she brought to so many. She will be remembered always as a devoted wife, loving mother, proud Mimi, fierce matriarch, and loyal friend.