Graveside services for Mrs. Melba J. McDowell, age 71, of Tatum, Texas, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2010, at Martin Cemetery with Bro. Ed Williamson officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the cemetery on Saturday prior to the graveside service. Mrs. McDowell passed away on Thursday morning, November 18, 2010, at her home near Tatum.

Melba Joyce Linthicum McDowell was born on January 30, 1939, in Gallatin, Texas to Tom Green Linthicum and Erma Launa Lee Linthicum. Mrs. McDowell graduated from Cushing High School with the class of 1957. She married Lawrence Saye McDowell on December 31, 1969, in Longview, Texas and he preceded her in death on June 30, 2010. She moved to Tatum in 2004 from the Sand Hills of Panola County. Mrs. McDowell was also preceded in death by her parents.

Mrs. McDowell is survived by two daughters, Debra LaStrange of Dallas and Laurie Cary and husband Lloyd of Palestine; two brothers, Tommy Linthicum and wife Artie of Longview and Jerry Linthicum and wife Sue of Cushing; two sisters, Elaine Wade and husband Kenneth of Sacul and Jean Lloyd and husband Buddy of Timpson; two sisters-in-law, Gloria Bowman and husband Norman of Beckville and Carol Sue Waggoner of Longview; two grandchildren, Jennifer Wilson of Arizona and Brennon Jones of Palestine; three great-grandchildren, Ethan Jones, Delani Wilson, and Everlee Wilson; and her two precious dogs, Molly and Zed. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.