Velma B. Davis

Funeral Services for Velma B. Davis will be conducted from the Moses Hill Evangelical Covenant Church in rural Loomis, Nebraska on Friday, February 6, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Craig Roberts, officiating. Interment will be in the Alma Cemetery at Alma, Nebraska at 1:30 p.m.

Velma Berniece Davis, 90 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2009 at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma. Velma was born March 19, 1918 at Alma, the only child to Fred Lee and Gertie Bell (Ingmire) Byler. The family lived northeast of Alma, when Velma was three years of age they moved to a farm on the Methodist Creek in Harlan County, Nebraska. She received her primary education at District #5 in Harlan County and then graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1935. She then pursued higher education at Kearney State College, where she received her Degree in Education. Following her education, Velma taught school in Alma and Ragan, Nebraska for eight years.

On September 1, 1943 she was united in marriage to Dennis Lyle Davis in Alma. The couple was blessed with two children: Julie Marie and James David. The couple engaged in farming northwest of Alma for ten years. In 1953 they purchased a farm northwest of Holdrege, where they continued to farm for thirty years. In 1984, Dennis and Velma moved into their new home they built in Holdrege. On November 12, 1995 she was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis. Velma continued to reside in their home until November 30, 1999 when she suffered a severe stroke that paralyzed her right side and she could no longer walk or live alone and care for herself. Since December 8, 1999 she made her home between the Colonial Villa in Alma and Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. She continued to reside at the Colonial Villa until she was called to her Eternal Home.

Dennis and Velma joined the Alma Evangelical Free Church on April 5, 1953. She was baptized by immersion on June 22, 1953. In 1965, they had their membership transferred to Moses Hill Evangelical Covenant Church northeast of Loomis. Velma remained active in her church, serving in many capacities including; sang in the choir, played the piano and taught Sunday School and Bible School. She was a member of the Covenant Women's Group and held several offices.

Velma was a very helpful person and a loving mother and grandmother. She was a good Christian woman and helped family and friends in every way. Velma was a very considerate person and a blessing to all who knew her.

She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter, Julie Ferdinand and her husband, Galen of Loomis; son, James Davis and his wife, Pam of Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandchildren: Wayne Ferdinand and his wife, Krystle of Holdrege, Marie Hale and her husband, Matthew of Lincoln, Nebraska and Harley Davis of Omaha, Nebraska; two great-granddaughters: Hailey and Allyson Hale of Lincoln; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, Dennis she was preceded in death by her parents.

Velma will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Thursday, February 5, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Moses Hill Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.