Obituaries

Velma Marie Ballew

Photo of Velma Marie Ballew
Velma Marie Ballew, 87, of Sheridan, Arkansas, died November 6, 2015 in Germany. She was born June 26, 1928, in Moodys, Oklahoma, to the late James E. and Vera Gladys (Douglas) Laster. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers George, Bill, and James Jr., and her sisters Verdell, Violet, and Robbie Lee. Marie graduated from Tahlequah High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and attended Northeastern State College, also in Tahlequah. She was a member of the Sheridan United Methodist Church. She loved traveling and spending time with her family. Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 64 1/2 years, Lt. Col. (Ret.) William F. (Wayne) Ballew of Sheridan, Arkansas; son, James Wayne Ballew and spouse Shelley of East End, Arkansas; daughter, Barbara Ballew Jackson of White Hall, Arkansas; granddaughter, Tessa Jackson Koon and spouse Kevin of Bryant, Arkansas; granddaughter, Gina Jackson McNabb and spouse Jeremy of Little Rock, Arkansas; great-grandchildren Anna, Jackson, Ava, Allie, and Aubrey; brother Vernon Laster of Checotah, Oklahoma; sister, Joy Hensley of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and sister Carol Gower and spouse Raymond of Moodys, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Sheridan with Rev. John Embrey officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time. Burial will be at 1 p.m. at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Pallbearers are Mike Hensley, Kevin Koon, Rickey Laster, Jeremy McNabb, Steve Myers and Carlton Taylor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 357, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.

Published November 21, 2015

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