Melva Jean was the youngest child to bless the union of Robert Burns and Mildred Magdalene New in Waco, TX. She made her grand entrance into the world on July 14, 1944. She received Christ at an early age and was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church in Waco by the late Pastor R.L. Bailey. She attended South Waco Elementary and graduated from A.J. Moore High School.

In 1960, a young Melva New married Eddie Martin Jr. They were blessed with six children, Josie and Charles Eugene, preceded her in death. Melva and her four children moved to Oklahoma City in 1970 and joined Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church. On July 14, 1972, Melva married Charles McDowell, and he gracefully stepped in as a father figure to her four children. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on her birthday July 14, 2022.

Melva Jean was no stranger to caring for others. She loved sending cards and writing letters. She never met a stranger. She worked as a Nurse's Aide at Presbyterian Hospital for years. Later she worked as a private nurse, as well. She cared for many children in her home daycare, whom she loved and adored as if they were her own. She remembered the birthdays of not only her children and grandchildren but also the birthdays of all the children she cared for, her extended family, friends, and many people she came in contact with along the way. She was very upset if she was unable to send a birthday card or sympathy card to someone.

She loved to cook her family's favorite meals which included her "famous to us" pancakes, macaroni and cheese, and dressing.

Melva Jean was a loving friend, a woman of strong faith, and an adamant prayer warrior. She was a longstanding member of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church where she faithfully sang in the Senior Choir and served in multiple ministries including the Greif Ministry, Sick and Shut-In Ministry, Senior Praise Dance Ministry, and the Souvenir Book Committee.

No longer in any pain, Melva has now reunited with her parents, grandparents, sisters, Marion Yvonne and Lois Helen, brothers Robert B, Charles Ray, and countless other loved ones. We know she is rejoicing with them now. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Charles, her children, Deborah, Eddie III (Ericka), Anthony (Angela), Stacie (Mike), fourteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins that held her close to her heart.