ESPINOZA, Melba (Boo)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/23/2015 Melba (Boo) Audilett-Espinoza escaped the confines of her frail, worn out shell and ascended upon the heavens in the early-morning hours of Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at her home in Vernon. Melba entered this world Oct. 31, 1936, in Yorktown, Texas, cradled in the arms of her loving parents, Gus and Laura Audilett. She was taken to her home, where she joined her older brothers Carter (Cap) and Gordon Dale and sisters Audeen and Arveene (Tiny). She was later joined in life by her sisters Audrey (Luche) and Aurie Shaye. It should be noted that five of the Audilett children were home-delivered by their paternal grandmother, Ana Badke Audilet, an excellent midwife in the south of Texas. The family lived on a farm in Davey, Texas, where Gus, Laura and all worked to raise enough food for the family. When she was 3 years old, Melba and her family moved to Bisbee, Ariz., and started life anew. While her family farmed, the children went to school and did chores at night. The family raised beef and pigs for meat and had truck gardens to feed all the hungry bellies. While attending Bisbee High School, Boo was on Student Council, a twirler and a cheerleader. She also loved playing basketball. While attending high school, she played exceptionally well for the Hargis HepCats. She also loved playing fast pitch softball with the Copper Queen team. Melba found she was all the rage as she loved to dance the jitterbug. Melba cut many a rug in her time. Melba also loved animals of all sorts. At the rodeo in Naco, she narrowly escaped death when she climbed atop and was thrown from the famous “Juanita the Spinning Mule”. Melba graduated from the historic and much famous Bisbee High School in 1954, a four-story building with each story being ground level. She then moved to California to attend Compton Junior College while she studied to become a teacher. She returned several years later and then decided to follow her father’s footsteps and become a barber. Melba married Gene Espinoza in the summer of 1960. They were married for over 18 years. Together, they raised 10 children, Laurie, Lisa, Diane, Daniel, Aaron, Larry, Mathew, Paul, Michael and Mark, and all survive to this day. Melba’s children created 35 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. In addition to her children, Melba was a surrogate mother to many children her kids brought home. It seemed that all the kid’s friends called her “Mom” or “Boo.” This trait carried over to the grandkids and great-grandkids with kids that came to know her as Gramma Boo. During her life, Melba came to be known as the greatest softball pitcher of all time. She could spin a softball in just such a way that it was nearly impossible to hit. Many a batter went down swinging and kicking dust. She wouldn’t even hold back when the opposing team had her daughter Lisa playing. With her team, she won three championships for her league. Because of her love for softball, she fostered that love for sports in her children, who took to the diamond in her footsteps. She was also an avid fan of the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns. She loved to spend her afternoons watching them beat the opposing teams. Melba was always up for an adventure. Together, with her kids and their friends, she was always looking for a road trip across the desert and into the hills. An old beater jalopy full of kids, a day at the park or the ball field and many fishing trips to the river in Coolidge and Roper Lake in Safford led to late afternoon fried catfish dinners. Some trips were in the great company of Grandpa Gus and squeak Grandma Laura. Melba was also known for the wisdom implanted in her by her parents, siblings and experiences of life. Her warm and gentle spirit often provided guidance for those who seemed lost. Melba retired from barbering in 1998 after more than 45 years of cutting hair. After all those years, arthritis had taken its toll. Her final customer, grandson Jonathan, only wished she had finished the job and not left him with a half-cut head of hair. She also retired from the low deserts to the scenic areas of the White Mountains. Here, she spent her final years soaking up the sun and caring for the many animals that roamed freely about the property. Goats, chickens, geese, turkeys, cats, dogs and her baby squirrel Rocky, all brought much joy to her heart. Melba is also survived by her brother, Dale, and sisters Luche and Shaye. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jessica. The legend of Melba (Boo) Audilett-Espinoza will live on in the stories as told by all of those that knew and loved her. She will be missed by all. No public services are planned at this time. Owens Livingston Mortuary White Mountain Chapel of Show Low handled arrangements. Those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book are invited to visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.