The quiet spirit of Velma Leanis (Holt) Harrison left her body to await the resurrection on Oct. 21, 2020. Velma was born into the home of her parents, Elmer Leanis Holt and Minnie Velma Mae (Tate) Holt, on Aug. 19, 1930. She received her eight grades of schooling at Shady Grove near Ann in Douglas County.
Due to the illness of her father, Velma and her brother, Louis Raymond, were unable to receive further schooling. But to Velma’s work and artistic ability this was never a hindrance. Her life accomplishments included her love of cooking and baking, sewing and crocheting. If she saw something she loved, she would make her own pattern. She also loved cake decorating, gardening and most especially her flowers. Her flower gardens were visited many times by the Kansas City Flower Club. Velma had a saying that anything worth doing was worth doing right. She was a dedicated follower of Jesus and a long time, steadfast member of the Southside Church of Christ in Mountain Grove.
She married Lyle Turner Harrison on April 16, 1960. Two children were born to this union, Gerald and Valora. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together in their home earlier this year. Lyle and Velma were almost always together in their retirement years and enjoyed spending their time together. Where you found one, you always found the other. She was the mother of two, the grandmother of three and the great-grandmother of seven beautiful girls, all of which she was very proud.
Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle; her parents, Elmer and Minnie Holt; her husband’s parents, Wesley and Cleta Harrison; three brothers, Louis Raymond Holt, Sherman Ivan Holt and Dyane Holt; and one sister, Evelyn Baney. She is survived by one son, Gerald Harrison, of Mountain Grove; one daughter, Valora Frey and her husband, Joseph, of Liberty; three grandchildren, Jarred Harrison and his wife, Miranda, of Paoli, Okla.; Charissa Wilmes and her husband, David, of Easton; and Seth Halford and his wife, Ieisha, of Kearney; seven beautiful great-granddaughters, Jazmine Rose Harrison; fraternal twins, Gracie Lynn and Jaylynn Bliss Harrison, Kaydience Lee Smith, Bexlei Rayne Leanis Wilmes, Olivia Joann Halford and Clair Jacklyn Halford; three brothers, Lonnie Holt and his wife, Charlotte, of Mountain Grove; Wyane Holt and wife, Barbara, of Salem, Ark.; and Vernon Holt and wife, Lanea, of Mackie, Idaho; three sisters, Leona Sanders, of Wichita, Kan.; Thelma Faye Kincheloe and her husband, Von, of Kansas City; and Joyce Holt, of Mountain Grove; and other relatives, friends and church family who will dearly miss her.
Visitation for Velma Harrison was held Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, from 9-10 a.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Funeral services followed the visitation at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home, with Todd Richardson officiating. Song selections were “In The Garden,” “Trust And Obey” and “Sweet By and By.” Seth Halford, David Wilmes, Mike Wade, Ralph Strunk, Steve Sloan and Eric Bell served as pallbearers. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s charity of choice. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
