Elder Melvin Cecil Bowen, 72, returned to his heavenly home on April 12, 2022 after a valiant battle with a long illness. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

Melvin was born to the late Elder Cecil and Ora Mae Bowen, a preacher and a homemaker respectively, in Sherman, TX on January 8th 1950. Melvin attended Carver Elementary School, Fred Douglas  School and graduated from Sherman High School. He was immersed in the Christian community that would be his lifelong support from an early age, his father was his first pastor.  He continued in his father's footsteps by becoming a preacher and later he was called to pastor at Cornerstone C.O.G.I.C. in Madill, Oklahoma.  He pastored there for over 30 years.

Melvin was blessed with a large and loving family. He married Dorothy Ann Moore, on January 10, 1975 in Gainesville, TX. Melvin raised his six children with patience, discipline and humility. He taught them to solve complex issues with examples from the Holy Bible. From the very beginning, he dedicated his children to God and encouraged them to explore the beauty of the gospels.  He provided for his family by working at Johnson & Johnson.  He was a dedicated worker there for many years and was one of the last employees at the very end when they closed the Sherman location.

Melvin was a talented musician who played the keyboard or piano by ear. He kept a keyboard with him so he could play whenever needed.  He was kind and soft-spoken, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how large or small. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children LaTasha Rothschild (Marlon) Melvin Bowen (Kisha), Timothy Bowen, Joshua Bowen, Rachael Boyd (Clifton) and Bruce Randle; his grandchildren Caira Bowen, Shelby Johnson, Shekelah Bowen, Timeah Bowen, Aliza Bowen, John Henry Johnson, Kya Boyd, Jesse Bowen, Morgan Rothschild, Alaina Randle, Camden Boyd, Rae Bowen, Maxwell Walling and Wyatt Randle; and a host of great grandchildren, his sisters Dorothy Winters (Isaac Jr.), Lena Mae Bowen (Kenneth Brothers); his aunt Ellen Orr and his uncle James Luper; cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Ora Mae Bowen and his brothers William and Cleophus Bowen.

A public visitation will be Friday, April 22 from 1 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Waldo Funeral Home.

Melvin's homegoing service will be held at the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on April 23, 2023, with a reception to follow in the (Fellowship Hall). He will be buried at the White Rock Community Cemetery in White Rock, Texas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to James E. Smith and the professionals of Waldo Funeral Home. You may sign the online guestbook at waldofuneralhome.com