Velma Fern Barker, 105, of Wellsville, passed away at 8:41 a.m., Tuesday, February 14, 2017 on her 105th birthday, at Gamma Road Lodge in Wellsville, where she had resided since February 28, 2008.

Mrs. Barker was born February 14, 1912, in Laddonia, Missouri, a daughter of Van Grainge and Bessie Austin (Hilton) White.

She was a 1929 graduate of Hannibal High School.

On October 17, 1932 in Mexico, Missouri by Rev. A.A. Wallace, she married Orville Curtis Barker. They celebrated over 61 years together. He preceded her in death on May 25, 1994.

Velma had worked at Florsheim Shoe Factory in Mexico as a seamstress for several years.

She was a member of the Wellsville Christian Church, where she was a former Deacon as well as Superintendent of Sunday School. Velma was also a member of CWF (Christian Women Fellowship).

Velma was a member of Gamma Road Lodge Auxillary and Annie Arnold Circle of Kings Daughters and Sons in Mexico.

She loved sewing and watching her birds.

Velma is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Marion Virgil and Lydia Barker, of London, England; two grandchildren, Pamela Jo (William) Barker-Bossard, of Liberty Township, Ohio and James Phillip (Barker) and Lesley Lewis, of Frisco, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Jayson (Kristina) Rickard, of Mountain Green, Utah, Alanna Pettersen, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, Emily (Jake) Fedorchak, of Pearland, Texas and Megan Lewis, of Frisco, Texas; three great-great grandchildren, Gwenyth and Addison Rickard, of Mountain Green, Utah and Juliette Pettersen, of Kingston, Pennsylvania; nephews, Van Grainge, of Rio Vista, California, James (Donna) Harrison, of Eldon and Kent (Carolyn) Harrison, of Centralia and nieces, Mary Bodnar and Lou Martin, of Soldotna, Alaska, Marcia King, of Kilauea, Hawaii and Sharon Harrison, of Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Van and Bessie Grainge-Austin; husband, Orville Barker; brothers, Madison Lee and Ted Van Grainge; sister, Louise Dennis and nephew, Glenn Harrison.

Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville. Rev. Mike Carmi officiated.

Burial was in the Wellsville Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were James Barker, William Bossard, Jayson Rickard, James Harrison and Kent Harrison.

Visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service, Friday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions were suggested to Gamma Road Lodge – Activities Department c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.

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