Velma Harkins died on Sept. 10, 2019 at home in Clayton following an illness.
She was born in Sissonville, West Virginia in 1928. She married Carol Harkins in 1952 and was married for 53 years until his death in 2005.
The family relocated to Tampa, Fla. in 1963 and resided in Lutz, Fla. for 51 years before relocating to Clayton in 2016.
She is survived by her son, Rodney and daughter-in-law, Donna; several nieces and nephews, and one very special niece, Connie Koons (Garner) of Treasure Island, Fla; a long-standing and loyal friend, Norma Jamie of Citrus Park, Fla.; and her loyal companion Shar Peis, Sadie and Junior (Juno).
She was a very kind and extremely generous person. She was a homemaker and loved children. She assisted in the formative years of many relatives. She was a very loyal person with strong religious beliefs. She attended Mountain City First United Methodist Church.
It was an honor to be her primary care giver during the latter portion of her life. Special thanks to Donna Harkins for the excellent care she provided to Velma.
Velma died the same way she lived her life, with courage and dignity. The memories of her will forever be treasured and will not be forgotten. Her ashes will be placed in the Gulf of Mexico at a later date, along with her husband’s.
Absent from the body, present with the Lord.