Dot’s Café owner and long time resident
Biography
Melinda Kay Washom Knight was born July 26, 1955 to Robert and Dorothy Washom. She was born on the family farm in Claremore, Oklahoma where she was still living until the flood of 2019. Robert was a framing contractor and farmer and Dorothy was a cafe owner and helped with farming the crops.
Melinda attended the Lone Elm 1-room school house until the 6th grade. Lone Elm was located one mile from the family farm so all 4 siblings would walk there every day because her mom didn’t drive at that time. Melinda transferred to Claremore Public Schools in the 7th grade and graduated from Claremore High School with the Class of 1973.
She met her husband Bobby Knight at Dots Café when she was 16. They married on September 1, 1973. Melinda lost her husband Bobby when he died in June of 2018 in an accident on the farm. They were married for 45 years. Bobby graduated from Inola High School in 1969 and was a electrician for 50 years. Melinda has 3 children, Brandi, Dusty and Misti. She lost her oldest son William Robert when he was a infant. She also has 7 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.
Melinda started working for her mom in 1971 at the age of 15 and in 2001, purchased Dot’s Cafe because of her dad’s failing health. She still continues to run the little place and hopes to keep doing so for many more years. Her faithful customers would echo that sentiment. Dot’s is a staple of main street Claremore.
Melinda has also worked at Walmart, Dr. Owen’s and Claremont Elementary School but her cafe career is her favorite. Her brother Ronnie Washom and sister Donna Washom Kemp have passed away along with her parents. She has one surviving brother, Larry Washom who cooks for her at the café.