Velma Stone

Velma Givan Stone
A memorial service will be held at 5:30 pm, Friday, November 7, 2008 at the Ballard Funeral Home for Velma Givan Stone, 96, longtime resident of Roswell, who passed away in her home Wednesday, October 29, 2008 surrounded by family and friends.BR She was born May 2, 1912, the youngest of five children to Clinton King and Clara Cundiff Givan in Melrose, NM. As a young girl in Melrose she played on the women's basketball team, was on the track team, acted in school plays, played the piano for church and other activities, was active on theBRdebate team and graduated as valedictorian of her class. After high school she attended college and became a teacher, called Miss Velma by her students. While still in college Velma became the guardian of her two teenage nieces, Maurine and Evelyn Polk, who had no other family to care forBRthem. BR Velma and Charles T. Stone were married in Clovis, NM on August 22, 1932. They spent their early-married life in Hobbs, NM where Charles worked as a printer and Velma raised her nieces. It was during this time that Velma wrote a song called, I've Fallen Completely in Love With That Man expressing the love she felt for her Charlie whom she said could do anything. BR She and Charles were active members of the Hobbs Methodist Church. For many years after they left Hobbs they and their family attended a 4th of July reunion of this Hobbs Methodist Pioneer group at Sacramento Methodist Assembly in Sacramento, NM.BR Velma and her Charlie eventually settled in Roswell where they were active members in the First United Methodist Church. Charles ran Stone Machine and Welding Works and Velma worked as a bookkeeper at Mabie-Lowery Hardware Company. She and her nieces sang and played for the local radio station.BR Over the years Velma was active in Epworth League, Girl Scouts, Eastern Star, Parent Teacher Association PTA, Organ Club, Enchanters, Roswell Symphony Guild, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc. She played the organ and piano for many churches in Roswell and organized and directed several handbell choirs in town. Velma served as Mother Advisor for the Zia Rainbow Assembly and as State President of the PTA. She was a member of the New Mexico Commission on Children and Youth and the Roswell Recreation Commission. She also sponsored the Youth Action Council YAC here in town.BR As a child of a Santa Fe Railroad man, Velma was able to ride the trains almost anywhere she wanted to go. The love of travel and adventure she developed in her youth stayed with her throughout her life. She enjoyed taking groups of young people with her to Santa Fe, NM or Washington, DC to learn about their heritage. Cruises or trips with bell-ringers, musicians, church groups, family or friends were frequent. Granny Go was always ready for an adventure She particularly loved to spend time in the Redwoods of California and her beloved town of Sitka, Alaska where she spent many summers as a Volunteer in Mission for Sheldon Jackson College.BR Music, travel, youth, family and fellowship continued to fill Velma's life, even after she lost her vision. You could not be around Velma for very long without hearing a song or getting a hug. Her zest for life was contagious and the love she shared with others continued to come full circle back to bless her and those around her.BR Velma was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and dear husband, Charles T. Stone. She is survived by daughters, Charla Featherstone and Karen Henderson, both of Roswell; son-in law, Joe Featherstone, of Roswell; grandchildren, Tres Featherstone and his wife Lilly of Roswell, Angela Naranjo and her husband Shawn of Roswell, Jon Shumard and his wife Brandy of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Charlie Henderson and his wife Vanessa of Roswell; great-grandchildren, Corey, Tyler, Nicholas, Darby, Elissa, Aidan, Rowan James, John Thomas and Megan; nieces and nephews, Ethelyn, Ronda, Jill, Bill and Verna.BR Velma and her family owe a special thanks to those at Peachtree Village, Roswell Comfort Keepers and Vista Care for the love and care they provided Velma in her later years.BRBR In lieu of flowers friends are encouraged to send memorials to Sheldon Jackson College, 801 Lincoln St., Sitka, AK 99835-769, Odyssey Foundation care of Vista Care, 400 N. Pennsylvania Suite 500, Roswell, NM 88201, New Mexico Commission for the Blind, 400 N. Pennsylvania Suite 900 Roswell, NM 88201 or a charity of their choice.BR Arrangements are entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family on the on-line registry book at www.ballardfuneralhome.com. BRBRests4all.org1'acupuncture and losing weighta href'h

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
5 p.m. till 7 p.m.

Service

Memorial Service

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, November 7, 2008
5:30 p.m.

Cemetery

Ballard Crematory
910 S. Main Street
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

Odyssey Foundation co Vista Care
400 N. Pennsylvania Ste. 500
Roswell, NM  88201

Sheldon Jackson College
801 Lincoln St.
Sitka, AK  99835

New Mexico Commission for the Blind
400 N Pennsylvania Ste. 900
Roswell, NM  88201