THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606070404
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 35 lines
Melvin Cowell Sr., 81, of the 4100 block of Williamson St., died May 31, 1996, in a local hospital after a brief illness.
Mr. Cowell was born in Norfolk County. He was retired from Virginia Power after 35 years and was a member of St. Stephens Holiness Church, Chesapeake. He served as chairman of the board of deacons and a member of the board of trustees. He served his church faithfully until his death. After his retirement he became an ice cream vendor where he adopted the name Pops and touched many young peoples' lives along the way.
Survivors include his lovely wife of 62 years, Mrs. Nannie Dent Cowell; three daughters, Mrs. Delores Riddick of Jenkintown, Pa., Mrs. Carrie Freeman of Norfolk and Mrs. Nancy M. Fayton of Chesapeake; two sons, Mr. Leon Cowell of Norfolk and Mr. Melvin Cowell Jr. of Levittown, Pa.; 26 grandchildren; 73 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. He also raised two of his grandchildren, Mrs. Pamela Sparrow of Yorktown, Va., and Marty Riddick of Davenport, Iowa.
The funeral will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. by Elder Paul Arrington in Healing Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake. Metropolitan Funeral Service, Norfolk, is in charge of arrangements. The remains will be placed in St. Stephens Holiness Church (128 Welch Road), Chesapeake, on Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Family and friends will assemble at 4158 Williamson St., Chesapeake, on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the funeral procession to the church. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Stephens Holiness Church Building Fund, 2562 Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB