Melette (Jones) Moore

Melette (Jones) Moore

Nov. 24, 2022

Melette (Jones) Moore of Kahlotus passed on the evening of Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, 2022. She was the first-born of two children to Melvin and Evelyn (Melcher) Jones, and was raised on their wheat and cattle ranch north of Sprague, Wash. After graduating from Sprague High School in 1959, she attended Washington State University that fall, then transferred to Eastern Washington University (Cheney) the following year. She completed her college education at Kinman Business School of Spokane. Melette met her husband, Dick, in the fall of 1961 through a mutual friend while attending a dance at the popular Sandhills Grange Hall, located between Lind and Kahlotus. They were married the following Sept. for 60 years. Together, they resided in Kahlotus continuing to build their farm and ranch, home, and family; three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Melette dedicated her life to her husband, her kids and grand-babies, and all things that meant 'family'. It was hugs with a kiss on the cheek, gatherings, competitions, kids of others, and a full dining room with extensions of card tables and folding chairs. Her heart carried passion for farming and ranching, wheat and hay, horse shows and Hereford shows, cowboy boots and rodeos, Torchlight parades and flags of the rodeo Grand Entry. County fairs and state conventions, dancing, singing, theatre, concerts, small schools, small towns, 4-H and FFA were also near and dear to her heart. As well as, cattle shows and show rings, rolling wheat fields and spring rain, her WSU Cougars and her Kahlotus Koyotes, flower garden, lush pastures, red barns, John Deere green machines, Geraniums in bloom of reds, Lilacs of lavender, Christmas, Easter, her church and her home. Melette was the Administrative Assistant at the Kahlotus School District from 1985-2002 (17 years), and was an active advocate of the Lind-Kahlotus Blue Devils Sports Combine (2001-2003). She was an avid booster of the Kahlotus Koyotes athletic program and was an active supervisor for fundraisers, concessions and game admissions. Melette was a dedicated member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist of Pasco; Kahlotus Community Club; Bailie Memorial Youth Ranch Board; Benton-Franklin County Fair Open Show Superintendent; and in earlier years she participated in horse shows, 4-H, Rainbow for Girls, and proficient in piano, saxophone and the accordion as well as vocals. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Melette was proud of her family, in addition, particularly proud of her mother as the "Lilac Lady" of the Spokane Torchlight Parade, and admired her father as a kind and keen businessman and her brother returning home from combat in Vietnam as both an active duty fighter pilot and infantry, and her connection to the Washington State University Fight Song, written by her great-aunt. Melette is survived by her husband, Richard "Dick" Rae Moore, daughters L'Rae Hopkins and Melinda (Don) Hentges, son Scott (Kim) Moore, and brother Jan "J" Jones. Grandchildren: Sommer Boyd of Wickenburg, Ariz., Mackenze "Mack" Hopkins of Mt. Vernon, Wash, Marlo (Ryan) Bumstead of Fruitland, ID, Kassin Hopkins of Canby, Ore., Nickolas "Nick" Hopkins of Fairbanks, Ark., Tyler Moore of Kahlotus, Wash, Jenna Moore of Cheney, Wash., and Great-granddaughter Alayah Hopkins of Fairbanks, Ark. She is preceded in passing by her parents Melvin L ('83) and Evelyn J (Melcher) ('99) Jones of Sprague, Wash. Remembrance donations can be made in honor of Melette's love for The First Church of Christ, Scientist of Pasco, 5304 Burden Blvd, Pasco, WA 99301; Franklin County Cattlemen's Association, PO Box 205, Mesa, WA 99343; or Shriners Hospital of Spokane 911 W. 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99201. Flowers may be sent to the family from Boxwood Florists, Ritzville, 509-707-8700. Arrangements handled by Danekas Funeral Home of Ritzville.