Jasmine Moran

One of Seminole’s most generous and beloved benefactors, Jasmine Moran, died at her home on Saturday morning, March 5, 2022, at the age of 87.

Mrs. Moran and her husband, local oilman and philanthropist Melvin Moran, co-founded Seminole’s Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, and Mrs. Moran researched, planned and funded the town’s new no-kill animal shelter.

She was born Jasmine Dolores Careen Burchell Lindsay on May 7, 1934, in Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, Essex, England to Lilian McPhee and John Carter Burchell. She grew up near London during World War II, living through the Blitz, where Germany bombed England 71 times in 267 days.

During part of the bombing, Jasmine and her sister were evacuated to live in the homes of strangers near Birmingham. Upon her return, her teacher discovered that Jasmine could sing and asked her to perform in the air raid shelters to cover the sound of the bombs.

In her early adolescence, Jasmine attended a drama school, where she also took regular school lessons, as well as music, dance and acting. Although Jasmine’s music teacher encouraged her to pursue opera, with her remarkable 3½-octave voice range, she made a career in London’s West End as a musical singer and actress. Her most notable performances were in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s production of “South Pacific.”

It was during this time, the early 1950s, that she met the American Air Force Lieutenant she would marry. She came to the US, leaving behind all her family and friends, and immediately was introduced to small town life in Seminole, Okla.

Jasmine learned to love Seminole and became involved with the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Wagon, PTA, Brownies and Girl Scouts. The Morans became patrons of the high school debate team and supported Seminole State College in numerous ways. She served as Seminole’s First Lady, when her husband was elected mayor.

One of her first projects was the organization and founding of the Seminole Humane Society. She worked tirelessly her entire life to keep animals safe, whether it was stopping on the side of the road to rescue an injured bird or a cruelly-tethered dog, or lobbying state and federal officials for animal rights legislation.

In the past several years, Jasmine initiated Seminole’s animal control program, hiring and paying the officer out of her own pocket to make sure her philosophy extended to all lost, strayed and abandoned animals citywide.

In the early 1980s, Jasmine and Melvin visited their first children’s museum on a trip to Flint, Mich. with their 2 granddaughters. They decided then and there to bring the experience to children in Seminole. Working with volunteers and donors in Seminole and all over the country, they succeeded in bringing a first-class children’s museum to their hometown. The Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum has been an integral part in the childhood and education of at least two generations of Oklahomans. More than 70,000 visitors “played to learn and learned to play” there last year.

In 2000, Jasmine was named Seminole’s Citizen of the Year. Seminole’s reverence for their beloved Jasmine was obvious at any public event she attended, when the line grew long to greet her, shake her hand, hug or kiss her.

All are invited to Jasmine Moran’s Celebration of Life on Wednesday, March 9th at 4 PM at the Kelly Haney Center at Seminole State College, 35390 Highway 9, Seminole, OK 74868. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday in Tulsa.

Services are under the direction of Rabbi Marc Fitzerman, The Synagogue Congregation B’nai Emunah, Tulsa (where Jasmine and Melvin were married in 1953.)

As Jasmine graduates to Heaven, she leaves here her adoring husband of 68 years, Melvin Moran; 3 successful children who practice Jasmine’s civic commitment – Marilyn Moran-Townsend (Bill Townsend), Elisa Moran (Gary Kleiman), and David Moran (Kris Olsson); 6 granddaughters Allison Sackett (Aaron), Julie Townsend (Francisco) Michelle Shiffman (Eric), Nicole Kleiman-Moran, Annika Moran and Ingrid Moran; 5 great-grandchildren Nathan, Jasmine, Natalie, Francisco and Kate; sister Davina Skedzuhn, sisters-and-brothers-in-law Laurie Beavis, Sid and Ione Moran, Jeannie and Jerry Tiras, and nieces/nephews Bruce and Jennifer Beavis, Alexandria Skedzuhn, Debbie and Everett Moran, and Alan, Scott and Mitchell Tiras. Jasmine is preceded in death by her parents Lillian and John Burchell, and her sister Helen Beavis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Seminole Humane Society in care of Marta Mattingly, 300 West College Avenue, Seminole, OK 74868; or to the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in care of Marci Donaho, PO Box 1828, Seminole, OK 74818- 1828.

The Jasmine Moran family thanks all for your outpouring of love for a one-of-a-kind woman who will live in our hearts forever.