Melvin was born on March 13, 1959 in Rice, Prince Edward County,

Virginia to William Henry Bowen and Jerlean Jackson Bowen. He accepted

Christ at an early age, was baptized, and joined the High Rock Baptist

Church in Rice, Virginia. He went home to his Heavenly Father on Friday,

April 4, 2025 at Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg, Virginia.

Melvin was a proud member of Prince Edward County High School

Class of 1977, in Farmville, Virginia. He was a proud snare drum player and

band member of Prince Edward County Marching Eagles. In 1974, Melvin

met Sylvia Cobbs at high school, and he and his high school sweetheart

were married in 1985. This union was blessed with their son Melvin Arthur

Bowen, Jr.

Melvin relocated to Petersburg, Virginia, where he was employed

by Asea Brown Boveri Inc. (ABB) in Chester, Virginia. He was a devoted,

hardworking employee of ABB for over 20 years. His job as a Safety Team

member earned him the TMD Associate of the Quarter. This recognition

earned a special parking space with is name "MELVIN BOWEN" on the sign

for that quarter at ABB.

He was a very loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and devoted

friend to all who needed a helping hand. He was known for his fashonable

clothes, shoes and jewelry. He loved his cars and trucks, especially his

Cadillac Escalade which earned him the nickname "Cadillac Man". He loved

music, fishing, and watching sports. His favorite sport was football and he

loved the Dallas Cowboys. He loved being around his family and friends and

was loved by everyone.

Melvin played the Conga drum with the band called "Voice Band and

Show". They were a ten member band getting ready to sign a contract for

traveling all over the East Coast.

Melvin was preceded in death by his mother Jerlean Jackson Bowen.

He leaves to cherish his memory: is his beloved wife, Sylvia C. Bowen

of forty years; son Melvin A. Bowen, Jr. of Petersburg, Virginia; father,

William H. Bowen of Rice, Virginia; three brothers, William, Calvin, and

Alvin Bowen all of Rice, Virginia; brothers-in-law, Rev Lloyd Cobbs of

Pamplin, Virginia, Jackie Cobbs of Hagerstown, Maryland, Floyd Cobbs of

Lynchburg, Virginia, and Luther Cobbs (Brenda) of Pamplin, Virginia; one

aunt, Bernice Harrison of Chesterfield, Virginia; four uncles, Plenty Jackson

(Ola) of Chesterfield, Virginia, Clarence Jackson of Crewe, Virginia, Rev

Leon Jackson (Carolyn) of Green Bay, Virginia, and Robert Bowen of Rice,

Virginia; three nieces, Tiffany, Calvette and Bridgette; and a host of cousins

and friends