Alva Review-Courier -

Melissa Dawn Burtlow, 41, of Duncan, Oklahoma, died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, July 25, 2020. The cause of death has not yet been established. She was born on October 1, 1978, on Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County, California, to Jeffrey A. Brown and Karen L. (Booth) Brown. She was born a month early, wanting to start her life with zeal and energy.

As a child growing up, she had a passion for learning, teaching herself to read before she entered kindergarten. She also loved music. Her favorite group throughout her life was Bon Jovi.

Melissa lived her life full of passion, taking pride in the fact that she was her own person. Because of brain injuries, she may have seemed a bit centered on herself, but the compassion in her heart for people far surpassed her brain.

She loved family to the fullest, accepting them as they were. As Melissa went through life, she gained the love and admiration of many people. She loved people around her and her friends unconditionally, and would give them the shirt off her back, literally, then sit outside in her stylish new sports bra.

Melissa loved a few TV shows that she would record and watch at her convenience. Wheel of Fortune and Judge Judy were at the top of her list. She loved playing Sudoku on the computer. She would often go walking in the middle of the night. Although cooking was not a thing she chose to do, she never turned down a home-cooked meal. She loved her coffee served in her collection of big cups. She always made time for the pets around her, making sure they had her attention and treats. Melissa was gaining back her independence and abilities, which made her feel happy and fulfilled.

Melissa also had deep religious beliefs, and reserved her first cup of coffee for her “God” time. She often stated that God wasn't finished with her yet, and that's why she was still here. I guess there came a point when God needed her more.

As she enters the gates of heaven, she will join her paternal grandfathers, Bertie Ray Brown and Marvin Wilson; her maternal grandmother, Betty JoAnne Booth; her uncle Johnny Brown and cousins Brandon Brown and Coy Vance.

She is survived by her paternal grandmother, Dovie O. Wilson, Mooreland; her maternal grandfather, William D. Booth, Mountain Grove, Missouri; father and stepmother, Jeffrey A. and Roberta Brown, Freedom; mother and stepfather, Karen L. and Billy Eggers, Marlow; her brothers and stepbrothers, BJ Stinnett (of Duncan), Gary and wife Ta-ah Stinnett (of Buena Vista, Colorado), Kasey and wife Alejandra Berry (of Las Cruces, New Mexico), and David and wife Krystal Eggers (of Marlow); her sisters and stepsisters, Valerie Brown (of Freedom), KaSandra Berry, (of Freedom), Patricia and husband Corey Estes (of Freedom), Ann and husband Eli Ashbrook (of Marlow) and Christina Eggers (of Marlow). Her ex-husband, Chester D. Burtlow, also held a place in her heart. In addition, she had multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews to make her life complete and interesting. She will be missed by many.

A luncheon will be held at noon with services following at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2020, at the Freedom Christian Church, 1115 Frontier Drive, Freedom, Oklahoma.