Melinda Burchfield, age 72, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 11th 2025.

Melinda was born to parents Max and Marie Adair on a hot summer day on July 22, 1952 in Pryor, Oklahoma.

From her earliest days she was taken to Sunday School. She began a wholehearted, lifelong journey of faith at the age of 10, committing to and embracing the Jesus she was lovingly taught.

Her lifelong high school group was called “The Zoo”, each person adopting nicknames of various animals, and she was known as Koala Bear (and thus began a lifelong obsession with the cute animal).

She graduated from Pryor High School in 1970 before attending John Brown University (JBU) on a music scholarship. In 1975 she received two degrees; one a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biblical and Theological Studies; and the other a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music Performance, while specializing in flute performance.

In 1976, Melinda married the love of her life, Larry A Burchfield and joined him while he was Active Duty Army at Ft. Sill Oklahoma. After Larry completed active-duty service, the young couple moved to Siloam Springs. Arkansas in 1977.

While Larry worked and received his PhD in 1982, Melinda said she got her PhT – (Put Hubby Through) while working in the JBU Registrar’s Office.
Larry’s work would move the young couple many times across multiple states. “Come visit us and see the USA” Melinda would say. Her first son, Benjamin was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland in 1984. Second son Bryce was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1986.

The family moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where both sons attended their early schooling. Melinda was always a loving, supportive wife and mother.
After the family moved to Washington, she began working at Edward Jones Investments in 2003. She retired from Edward Jones in March of 2025.

She devotedly attended and lovingly served Richland Baptist Church for nearly two and a half decades, serving in various outreaches including AWANA, Sunday School, English as a Second Language, and a Guatemala Mission Trip, just to name a few.

Her Godly character and love for Jesus, studious nature, infectious laugh, wit, and calming, gentle presence are greatly missed.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
(Philippians 1:20)

Melinda is preceded in death by parents Max and Marie Adair and brother Mike Adair.
She is survived by husband Larry of West Richland, Washington; Ben (Mandy) and Jesse Burchfield of Veneta, Oregon; and Bryce (Melody) and grand dogs Lolli and Charlie of Pasco, Washington.

A celebration of life will occur at Richland Baptist Church, 1632 George Washington Way in Richland, Washington at 2:00 PM PDT. The celebration of life will also be live-streamed on the church’s website at richlandbaptistchurch.org.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in her honor to Youth for Christ https://lcyfc.churchcenter.com/giving for camp scholarships or Elmira Club or Smaritian’s Purse https://samaritanspurse.org