Melvin Owens, which means leader and servant, the son of the late Henry Owens Jr. and Rita May Snell, was
born on October 11, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Melvin received his
formal education and graduated from West Philly High School. He worked numerous
jobs, and after graduation, he worked along with his two uncles Calway and Joe,
at the Spive Steele Company when he was eighteen years old. He later accepted a
position at the Philadelphia Gas Works for over twenty years in various roles,
including customer service, where he later retired. He met the love of his
life, Danette, and the two of them became one in 2006 and laid the foundation
for a rock solid friendship. Melvin loved traveling and going out to dinner.
His favorite restaurant was Red Lobster, Pat\'s Pizza, and he liked to go to
\"Doc of the Bay\" in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City and Rehoboth were
two places he loved to visit. Melvin was athletic and enjoyed swimming, track
and field tennis and had an array of hobbies. He enjoyed spending time with Uncle James, and
was the only relative with a car at that time, which had to pushed when he ran
out of gas. Melvin dedicated his life by water baptism in 1974 as one of
Jehovah\'s Witnesses. He received many blessings, formed a close relationship
with Jehovah, and shared his spiritual truths with the people he loved. Serving
Jehovah was one of the highest points of his life. Melvin was known to many for
his infectious smile and laugh that could light up a room. Melvin was preceded
in death by his two sons, Melvin Jr. and Jamie Sr. and his three brothers, Gregory,
Vernon, and Timothy (Hank). His loving devoted wife Danette Owens, and
beautiful children Aaron Sr. Jasmin, Damion, Nakisha and two step-daughters
Stacey and Tina, fifteen grandchildren, three aunts, Lola, Margaret and Emma,
two uncles, Roy and Richardson and a host of other close family and friends
will cherish fond memories of him.