Melvin Clifton Owens, Jr., 1952–2022
Melvin Clifton Owens, Jr., was born October 27, 1952 in Lubbock, Texas, to Melvin C. Owens, Sr., and Ethel Jo Dozier Owens. Melvin attended first through fifth grade at George R. Bean Elementary in Lubbock. The family then moved to Spur, Texas, where his mother was raised; there he finished school, graduating from Spur High School in 1971.
Melvin surrendered to preach on April 24, 1968 at the age of 15 at First Baptist Church in Spur, where Brother Norris Taylor pastored at the time. Brother Taylor let him preach his first sermon the following Sunday night service on May 1, 1968. His brother Jimmy said he remembered Brother Taylor had to turn the sound down because Melvin got so loud. This was very unusual for Melvin, who usually took a mild tone except for the word of God. After this he began helping his grandmother, Mrs. J. E. Dozier, at the Spanish Mission, which used to sit across East 6th Street from the Catholic Church.
After graduating high school, Melvin attended Wayland Baptist College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religion on May 17, 1975.
After college Melvin worked for Farmers Coop Gin in Spur and was pastor at Girard Baptist Church. Later he moved to Wichita Falls and worked at Sheppard Air Force Base.
Melvin loved all his classmates, so while living in Wichita Falls he began collecting 1971 Kennedy half dollars so that he might give each of his graduating classmates one on their tenth anniversary. But just when he lacked a few having enough, a thief broke into his apartment and took all the coins he had gathered. Melvin said that was one of his greatest disappointments.
Melvin later moved back to Spur and worked in the meat market at Lawrence Brothers Grocery Store and was pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Spur.
Melvin married Shirley Roberts on June 26, 1992. Melvin moved to King County in the Grow community in 1993 and worked for Walmart in Childress Texas for 20 years. He later became associate pastor and still served at Midway Church, halfway between Guthrie and Paducah. He was also a member of Midway’s board of trustees and served as treasurer.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law and their children, Billy Joe and Shirley Owens, Cheryl Lynn, Reginald Earl, Troy Lee and Delana Sue; and nephew Kenneth Craig McCauley and sister-in-law, Judy Owens.
Survivors include sister Charlotte McCauley and husband, Chris; brother Jimmy Owens and wife, MaryAnne; sister, Mary Charo and husband, Rick; and lots of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Friday May 6, 2022 at Midway Church in Guthrie, Texas (265 N. U.S. Hwy. 83) followed by interment at the Spur Memorial Cemetery, Spur, Texas, with Brother Chris McCauley and Brother Chuck Harrison officiating under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home.
