Melba, the youngest of six children, was born on a farm near Nevada to Charles Ira and Prudie Ann (Dark) Garwood. Melba and her husband Lee Bowen were married on December 31, 1950 in Nevada, MO. She was dedicated wife and mother, and ran her own clothing store in Nevada. Melba lived most of her life in Nevada. In 1982 she and Lee moved to Stockton, MO where they resided until 2014 at which time they returned to Nevada. She was a longtime member of Pine Street Baptist Church in Nevada. Melba will be remembered as a bright shining light by all she touched.
Left to honor Melba and remember her love is her husband, Lee Bowen; one son Douglas (Michelle) Bowen; one sister, Dorothea Meritt; two grandchildren, Jessica (Joshua) Collins and Paul Bowen; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Mabel Janssens, Chester, Buford, and Clarence Garwood.
Private family services will be held at Moore Cemetery.
The Bowen family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at Heartland Hospice in Butler, MO for their attentiveness and loving care. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Melba’s name to Heartland Hospice in c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.
