Celebration of Life Services

• Signing of the Register Book & Public Viewing: 12:00 noon – 5:00 PM | Friday, August 14, 2026, in the Chapel of West Gadsden Funeral Home.
• Funeral Services: 11am | Saturday August 15, 2026, at Mission Baptist Church ( 1115 Tuscaloosa Ave, Gadsden, AL 35901).
• Burial: Lincoln Hill Memorial Park (408 Miller Ave, Gadsden, Al.35904)

MELBERTA OWENS

Melberta Washington-Owens, affectionately known as Granma Mel and Granny, was born to the late Melvin Washington and Alma Walkins in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, on February 21, 1940.

Melberta accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age in Chicago, Illinois. She became a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Eufaula, Alabama and Damascus Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama.

She was educated in the Chicago City Schools, where she attended Parker High School.

Melberta became a Nurse’s Assistant working for Norwegian Medical Center, as well as Strom Becker Corporation in Chicago, Illinois and Eufaula Adolescent Center in Eufaula, Alabama. After many years of professional and dedicated service, she retired from Riverview Regional Hospital in Gadsden, Alabama.

Preceding Melberta in death was her loving husband, Arthur James Owens; daughter, Linda Owens-Davis; parents, Melvin Washington and Alma Watkins; three sisters, Dorothy, Mildred, and Pamela, and brother, Fred.

Embracing her lifetime of cherished and loving memories are her son, Henry (Jacqueline) Washington of Gadsden, AL; four daughters, Debra Wilson of Blue Island, IL, Bonita Owens of Madison, AL, Michelle Peterson and Sabrina Cox, both of Gadsden, AL; 13 grandchildren, Deshon Wilson, Anthony Owens (Reshona), Melody Rogers (Mike), Tommy Peterson, Darrell Davis, Desmond Peterson (Leah), Andre’ Owens, Marcus Davis, Brittnany Cox, Henry Washington (Rind), Jamal Davis (Shanara), Kimberly Smith and Luvenia Smith; her extended family, Wanda Jones, Lorrain Watson, and Joan Cox and also a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and dear friends.

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