Melissa Walker Obituary
Melissa Marie Walker ran into the arms of Jesus on November 30, 2021.
Melissa was welcomed into this world by her dad Sherman Hyatt, her mom Nancy Yeager, and her sister, Kimberly, on February 26, 1981, in Tulsa, OK. She was a gift to her parents and her sister’s best friend. Her family grew to include her stepdad Wayne Yeager, brother Garret, stepmom Marla Hyatt, and sister Erika.
Even as a child, Melissa was compassionate and in tune to the needs of others. She was also brave and determined. In her pre-teen years, she enjoyed playing softball as a left fielder and basketball as a point guard. She excelled in all her studies, especially math, and was also on the high school yearbook staff. She graduated in 1999 from Edison High School in Tulsa.
In the fall of her freshman year at The University of Oklahoma, she met the love of her life Sean Walker. Sean and Melissa were married on May 29, 2004. They enjoyed traveling and going to OU football and basketball games together. Through the community of their First Church family, they enjoyed what would become lifelong friendships. They rejoiced in the birth of their son Ryan on January 27, 2010, and their daughter Natalie on May 29, 2013. Their children were her delight and treasure.
As a child, Melissa loved to play “school” so it was no surprise when she graduated from OU with a BS in math education and then began her 17-year career at Norman North High School. She taught her students that anyone can learn math and showed them how math is woven into their everyday lives. Above all else, she wanted them to know that they are loved and special, and she took every opportunity to demonstrate her care.
From the time Ryan and Natalie could each stand on a chair, Melissa had them at the kitchen counter, teaching them to cook and bake. Her dream was to open a bakery. She liked watching Food Network, trying new recipes, and revitalizing old recipes from her Grandma Hyatt who baked the desserts at the family restaurant. She relished the challenge of making her children’s birthday cakes, whether a basketball court or Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and she also made all of the holiday desserts.
Melissa cherished quality time with loved ones and was always an attentive host. She enjoyed being outside, taking her children on excursions to the splash pad, library, and various places for touring, as well as watching MeTV and Charlie Brown. She cheered for Ryan at his baseball and basketball games and encouraged Natalie in her budding gymnastics and singing talents.
At age 9, Melissa received Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized on July 15, 1990. She loved Jesus with her whole heart, loved others above herself, and was loyal to the core. She was incredibly brave because knew Jesus was her strength. She lived to serve others and could see a need and be fulfilling it before it was even known to the recipient. Melissa was always pointing people to Jesus and wanted them to be in heaven with her one day. She lived by this quote that is framed on a wall in their house…
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot
Melissa is survived by her husband, Sean, and children, Ryan and Natalie, of the home; her parents, Nancy and Wayne Yeager of Tulsa and Sherman and Marla Hyatt of Bixby; her siblings, Kimberly, Garret, and Erika; her grandfathers, Charles Hester of Tulsa and John Glover of Broken Arrow; as well as countless uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by many other loving grandparents. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 8th, at First Church OKC (131 NW 4th St, Oklahoma City). A livestream will be available at http://www.firstchurchokc.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to First Church OKC and designated for Ryan and Natalie’s college fund.
