Merlene Sue Grimes, age 83, entered her heavenly home on March 19, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Merlene was born February 6, 1942, to Earl and Juanita (Durham) Luce in Sand Springs.  She lived in Sand Springs on the same street all but one year of her life.  As a young girl, she had a reputation of beating up the boys that rode their bikes up her street.  Many grown men were still a little afraid of her whooping them.  She often battled for her baby brother, Lloyd.

Merlene was in the first graduating class of Charles Page High School in 1960.  She met her soulmate/husband in the summer of 1960. Kenneth's brother Larry was dating Merlene's cousin Carolyn when Larry dared him to ask Merlene out on a date.  Merlene was cashiering at Woolworths, Kenneth purchased a pack of gum and asked her out. Their first date was a double date with Larry and Carolyn.  Merlene and Carolyn were talking the whole time and Kenneth asked teasingly if she was able to be quiet for five minutes.  According to Kenneth, it was the first and only time she was quiet.

Shortly after their first date, Kenneth was stationed at Fort Hood for 2 years.  They were married May 27,1961 on a 3-day pass.  Kenneth said they never argued during their 63 years of marriage.  After time he learned how to say, "yes dear", which was affective but still annoyed her.

Merlene loved fishing, camping, spending time at their vacation home at flint ridge, being with her family and friends, attending church at the Sand Springs Church of God, feeding humming birds and taking care of her flower garden.  She was famous for her chicken noodles, homemade rolls, coconut cream pie and many other recipes.  Anyone that was welcomed into Kenneth and Merlene's home became their family.  She worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for many companies.  She retired at age 62 to take care of her Mother and Aunt.

Merlene is survived by her loving husband Kenneth and their daughters Terri Bissell and Susan Grimes alongside daughters Debbie Read and husband Richard Read and Cheryl Childers and husband Sam Childers. Granddaughters Kendall Bozone and husband Mitchel Bozone, and Kristin Bissell.  Great grandsons (little loves) Trevor and Connor Bozone and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Juanita Luce, her Aunt Sue Calame and brothers Tommy and Lloyd Luce.