Melva Jo Winnett

Melva Jo (Newman) Winnett was born in Dallas, Texas on February 5, 1944 to parents Dorothy and Melvin (Cowboy) Newman. She died on January 1, 2024 with her husband, daughter and Hospice nurse at her side.

She grew up in Oak Cliff, attending Wheatland Elementary, Boude Story Jr. High and graduating from Kimball High School in 1962. She worked part time while she was in high school at Kroger Food Store where she met the love of her life, Ray Winnett. They married on August 24, 1963 and were blessed to have completed sixty years together in 2023. In 1966 they adopted their only child, Monica Lee. She gave them two grandchildren, Ana and Cody, whom Melva adored. She was "G-ma" to them. Ana gave them great-grandchildren Jordyn, Gunner and Leon.

Melva was a career woman, working at Sears, Rio Grande Insurance and twenty-five years at Army-Airforce Exchange Services (AAFES) from where she retired. She and Ray attended church at Oak Cliff Church of God, Oak Cliff Assembly (now The Oaks in Red Oak) and presently at First Baptist of Lancaster. She had a strong faith and loved reading the Bible in a different translation each year.

She loved to sing, and she and Ray sang in the Silver Serenaders of Texas for many years.

Melva began her long-term health struggle in 2018 as a result of a fall, causing numerous infections and leg amputation.

Melva is survived by husband Ray, daughter Monica Cortinas(Jesse) granddaughter Ana Ward (Adam), great-grandchildren Jordyn, Gunner and Leon. Preceding her in death are her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins, as well as grandson Cody and great-grand son Ryder.

Special Thanks go to Hospice Plus nurses and aids, Midlothian Healthcare care-givers, and home health care nurses and therapists.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 6 at 10:30am at First Baptist of Lancaster, 305 East Third St. Visitation will be on Friday, January 5 at Jeter and Son Funeral Home, 332 Cedar St. in Cedar Hill.