Lura Jean (Sipes) Mellott

Lura Jean Mellott, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, chef, gardener, jokester, Pirate and Steeler fan, actress, hunter, bingo fanatic, crossword puzzle solver, and gameshow watcher, passed away peacefully after 97 years of living life to the fullest.  

Lura was born to Hobart and Rosie (Lashley) Sipes on November 1, 1922.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 fun-filled years, Douglas S Mellott; her brother, Fred M. Sipes; her sister, Mary Alice Watters; and her son-in-law, Rodney Mearkle.  

Lura's deep PA history dates back to revolutionary times, with both her maternal great-great-great-grandfathers serving as patriot soldiers and her great-great-great-grandfather Michael Barndollar creating the town of Bloody Run (aka Everett) in 1795.  A graduate of Everett High Class of 1940, Lura spent over 40 years as a contract mail carrier for the USPS.  She was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Clearville

Lura was always up for an adventure, be it packing up the RV for a multi-month trek to Yukon Territory Alaska or braving the turns on the ‘Oh My God’ roads winding over the Rocky Mountain passes.  But her favorite part of every trip was returning home to her cozy kitchen and comfortable bed.  

A perpetual jokester, Lura loved creating laughs, be it by pulling pranks on her post office buddies or searching for the perfect white elephant gift (which is obviously a toilet bowl).  

In 1990, Lura found that her true passion in life was entertaining when she landed her first role as Mrs. Baker in Bedford County Players’ production of Come Blow Your Horn.  She was a natural comedian and, oh, how the audience loved laughing at her… so much so that plays were selected only if there was a role for Lura!

Lura is survived and sorely missed by her son, Douglas Mellott, married to Penny, of Broken Arrow, OK; her daughter, Madolyn Mearkle, of Everett, PA; her sister, Shirley Smith, of Bedford, PA; her grandchildren, Lois, Troy, Brenda, Nicole, Douglas and Kyle; her 10 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.  

A memorial service for Lura will be held at Akers Funeral Home, 299 Raystown Road, Everett on Saturday, December 28 at 4 pm with Rev. Jay Saxe officiating, there will be visiting hours from 3-4 pm.  In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a donation on Lura's behalf to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org)

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