Velma Bolin

Velma (Smith) Bolin, 85, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 8, 2013. She was born to Chester and Mattie Lou Smith in War Eagle, Ark., on March 17, 1928. She is preceded in death by husband O.C. Mowery, husband Glen Young, husband Rufus Bolin, son Gary Mowery, and two grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Watts of Hindsville, Ark.; 7 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and a plethora of extended family and friends. As a child, Velma attended school in War Eagle and had a great love for horses. During her early adult years, she worked both in a garment factory and on the family farm raising chickens, cows, blueberries, and strawberries. In 1982, she opened the Hillbilly Corner Craft Shop, where she made and sold various crafts and homemade jams and jellies. In 1985, she expanded the craft business to include the Hillbilly Corner Arts and Crafts Fair. Over the next 20 years the fair would grow to include over 250 exhibitors every spring and fall. The craft fair officially retired in 2005. In 1994, she married her beloved late husband Rufus Bolin and relocated from War Eagle to Springdale. It was at this time that she retired from crafting and rekindled her love of raising and riding horses. During this time she raised many foals and shared her love of horses with many children by teaching them not only to ride, but also to respect horses. She was an active member of the Rock Ridge Riding Club in Hindsville, Ark., rode horseback in the Springdale Independence Day Parade many years through 2011. In 2012, she was given the honor of riding in the stagecoach at the beginning of the parade. Her final parade was 2013 when she watched as a spectator. She was a longtime member of the Sonora Baptist Church in Sonora, Ark. Arrangements are being handled by Sisco Funeral Chapel. The family will be receiving visitors at Sisco in Springdale on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. Services will also be held at Sisco on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at 2 p.m. with graveside interment at Burkshed Cemetery in Hindsville, Ark.; Brothers Danny Williams and Eldon Bagwell to officiate. Pallbearers will include Danny Honeycutt, Kyle Skerjanec, Seth Holmesley, Christopher Smith, Branlynn Sisemore, and Edward Skerjanec. Billy Mowery, Bryan Snyder, and Steven Goss will act as honorary pallbearers. A reception will be held at the Burkshed Community Building following graveside services. Donations in Velma's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Arkansas Chapter, 210 N. Walton Blvd., #25, Bentonville, AR 72712; or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762. Online condolence at www.siscofuneral.com.