Born 1937, in the Midwest, Melva has been a Los Angelino native since her first birthday. She is named in Who's Who' In the World 2006, Who's Who in America 2006 and Who's Who of Women in America 2004-2005. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the:
  • Alice Leonard Award, Women Painters West 2006, L.A. Art Core Brewery Annex,
  • Dick Blick Award San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2005,
  • First Place and Best Watercolor Awards, Artists Council Members Exhibit in 2003, Palm Springs Art Museum,
  • Pearl Gunther Award, Women Painters West 2003, Art Center, Burbank, CA,
  • Second Honorable Mention, 36th Inland Exhibition in 2000, San Bernardino County Museum, CA,
  • Third Place, Figurative Exhibit, Long Beach Arts in 2000.
Her work has been exhibited in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and Orange counties.

She is the mother of two and resides in Hacienda Heights, California. She is an accomplished seamstress and an avid theatre attendee. Melva enjoys swimming, out door barbecuing and reading gourmet cook books.