Velma Lorraine Ashmore

Velma L. (Orcutt) Ashmore, 89, of Williamsburg, passed away Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City with her family by her side.

Velma was born on Monday, May 18, 1925 to the late Lyle and Osa (Worden) Orcutt in Williamsburg in the house she currently lives in. Following graduation from Williamsburg High School, she attended college in Ohio. She married Raymond C. Ashmore on Monday, August 4, 1947 in Williamsburg.

Teaching school for a while, Velma and Ray lived on the farm, which Velma ran while Ray worked at the State Hospital. She also worked in home health care in later years. She could pick up any musical instrument and play it, but especially enjoyed playing the piano, guitar and violin. She enjoyed raising flowers along with the other farm crops and was a 40 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 289 in Williamsburg, serving as president of that organization all that time. Velma especially loved to dance and is wearing her "golden slippers".

Velma is survived by her loving family; a daughter Nola (John) Burger of Ridge Spring, S. C., her sons Dodie Earl (Ingrid) Ashmore of Williamsburg and Paul (Mary) Ashmore of Kingsley; 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, her sisters in law Kathleen Ashmore of Mayfield and Winnie Ashmore of Traverse City, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ray in 2008; a son, Roger, a daughter in law Joyce Ashmore, her sister Willodean Garms, sister in law Delta Grant, brothers in law Lyle and Gerald Ashmore and brother in law John Ashmore;

Visitation for friends and family will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm Tuesday November 11, 2014 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Nate Starkey will officiate. Burial will be in Williamsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to American Legion Auxiliary, P. O. Box 32, Williamsburg, MI 49690 or to a charity of your choice.

Please share memories and thoughts with Velma's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.