Melinda McAfee Hart

Born January 10, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Howard and Ruth McAfee. Growing up, she graduated from Monte Cassino High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, attended Sweetbriar College in Virginia as well as Oklahoma State University, and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a B.A. in English. Later, she graduated from Lindenwood College with a M.A. in Corporate Communications.

Throughout her career, Melinda enjoyed her time as a staff writer for the Tulsa World Newspaper, an associate editor for Tulsalite Magazine, and an editor for Spotlite Magazine. Ultimately, she joined the corporate communications team at Southwestern Bell (SBC, AT&T) in Oklahoma City. During her time at Southwestern Bell, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she met Rob Hart at the St. Patrick's Day parade in 1980. They had an instant connection and married later that year on November 29, 1980. They continued the tradition of always celebrating St. Patrick's Day every year. In 1993 the family moved to San Antonio, TX and in 2000 she retired from SBC/AT&T.

While working at SBC, AT&T she was a corporate event coordinator for the Georgia O'Keefe Art Exhibitions in Washington D.C, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, and Los Angeles. Melinda was also an event coordinator for the Paul Strand Exhibition in several cities. She managed an extensive art collection at the SBC Corporate Headquarters. She received numerous awards for the Annual report and Quarterly Financial reports. Melinda also worked on Southwestern Bell Mission Status Center at the Space Center Houston. She enjoyed writing for Scene Magazine and various other SBC corporate publications. After moving to San Antonio with SBC, Melinda helped coordinate floats for the Battle of Flowers Parade and Fiesta Flambeau Parades. During her final years at SBC she moved to the Human Resources department as a manager for the Benefits Communication Department.

Melinda spent part of her time by involving herself in the community. Throughout the years she volunteered as a board member and treasurer at St. Luke's Episcopal School as well as Churchill High School, and was a proud member of the Aggie's Mom Club (Gig 'Em!). She was also an avid volunteer at Family Services, a hospice care giver for Interim Healthcare, and a moderator for Women's Connection. In addition to volunteer work, Melinda was very involved in the church as a ruling elder at St. Charles Presbyterian Church while living in Missouri. She continued her church involvement as a ruling elder at San Pedro Presbyterian Church in San Antonio where she also helped as a Stephen Ministry Leader, Bible study leader, and moderator of Women's Association.

Melinda was an avid sports fan! In Tulsa she followed the Tulsa Oilers, a Triple A team of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. She watched many of the young players move up to be on the Cardinals major league team. Growing up she was raised to be a dedicated Oklahoma Sooners Football fan. She still remembered the date that Notre Dame beat OU to end the Sooner's record of 47 consecutive wins and still mourned the loss after 60 years. Melinda also followed the OSU Cowboys, except when they played OU. In St. Louis she enjoyed going to Cardinals games including play off games and the World Series. Melinda and Rob had season tickets for Mizzou Tiger Football and enjoyed fall trips to Columbia, MO for games and tailgating. When their son attended Texas A&M, she instantly became a fan of Aggie football and basketball. Since moving to Texas she also became a fan of the Astro's baseball team and enjoyed watching them win the 2017 World Series. As a college basketball fan, March Madness was one of Melinda's favorite times of the year. She also enjoyed watching various other sports including golf and tennis.

Melinda is preceded in death by her parents Howard and Ruth McAfee. She is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Rob Hart; Cherished son, Patrick Hart and his wife Becca; precious grandsons, Jackson and Logan Hart; Brother Mike McAfee and wife Ann; Sister in law Mary Ann Brown and her husband Bob.

Beloved Aunt of Jodie and Paige McAfee, Carrie and Jerry Bishop, Josh and Kenzie McAfee, Erin Edgington, Tracey and Alex Duran, Terri and Rob Gross.

Dear Great Aunt of Michael and Maggie Bishop, Boyd and Knox McAfee, Will and Charlie Gross

Melinda was a loving wife, devoted mother, proud grandma, dear sister, aunt, great aunt and friend. She enjoyed traveling with cruises in Europe, Alaska, Canada, New England, Caribbean and touring the British Isles. The greatest joy in her life was spending her time with Rob, Patrick, Becca, and especially her grandsons, Jackson and Logan. Melinda will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will be forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m, Saturday, March 10, in the Fellowship Hall at San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, Texas.

In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions in Melinda's name are requested to:

Stephen Ministry of San Pedro Presbyterian Church

14900 San Pedro Avenue

San Antonio, TX 78232

Animal Defense League of Texas

11300 Nacogdoches Road

San Antonio, TX 78217

Or, a charity of your choice