Obituaries

Velma 'Vel' Sims Spurlock

Photo of Velma 'Vel' Sims Spurlock
Born Dec. 10, 1924, in Georgetown, Ark., Velma "Vel" Sims Spurlock died peacefully on Sept. 26, 2012, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was the daughter of U.E. Sims and Annie (Lewis) Sims. Wife of Afton "Ed" Spurlock for 65 years, she personified the traditional views of wife as helpmate, mother as always present and supportive, grandmother and great-grandmother as cheerleader and coach as well as preparer of delicious dinners for all her family. She was active in her church community, Church of Christ in Farmington, where she helped her husband found the Thursday School for pre-schoolers, a project near and dear to her heart as she taught her charges weekly with her co-workers for over 20 years. She worked as volunteer secretary to her husband. She also taught varied ages of Sunday School and supported church meetings three times a week. At social events for her church community, she provided never only-one potluck dish—always two or three—just in case more was needed. She was minister's wife in Farmington, Ark., Dallas and Ft. Worth, Texas, and Mountain Grove, Ark., for a number of years. A poet whose work was published in several church bulletins and newsletters, she played guitar and mandolin in her youth and sang with a musical trio prior to her marriage in 1942. She had a lifelong love of music. She also spent several years exploring painting, always encouraging the artistic work of her daughters and grandchildren. One of her family's favorite poems illuminates her comment this past weekend, "I have had a beautiful life." A Full Life Some people grow old gracefully, While others afraid may be. I have no fear of old age, My life has been full, you see. I have been one of those fortunate ones, Whom God has placed in my care: A home with little children, A love so full, so rare. The laughter and the little steps, Have helped to make our home, But now they are grown-up steps, With a home all of their own. Now they can teach their little ones, To love, to laugh, and play, While I am content in my rocking chair, With my hair a silvery gray. And when I look back on the days gone by, My heart sings out with cheer. Though my little ones are far away, In memories they are near. --Vel Sims Spurlock She is survived by three daughters, DeAnna Spurlock of Carlisle, Pa., Pamela Mills of Fayetteville, Ark., Darla Wright of McKinney, Texas, as well as sons-in-law, James Wright of McKinney, Texas, and Jack Mills of Fayetteville, Ark., and 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; and a large extended family and many friends in her community. In reflecting on her coming death, she said she had no fear, only sadness at the thought of leaving all those she loved. She will be remembered with love as long as we all shall live and beyond. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at Beard's Funeral Chapel, with grandsons officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Thursday School, c/o of Farmington Church of Christ; or Willard Walker Hospice Home. Online condolences:www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.

Published September 27, 2012

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