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Saturday, November 23, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Velma Irene Mynear LeMonnier, age 94, received her wonderful promotion to be with Jesus on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in Ponca City, OK. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 23 at First Baptist Church in Pawnee, OK with Pastor John Coker officiating. In lieu of flowers please give to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma.
Velma was born to S.P. and Bessie Pearl Mynear on February 18, 1930 in Blackburn, OK. The family moved to Pawnee when Velma was in Jr. High. She married Gene LeMonnier on September 14, 1946 after his return from serving two years in the U.S. Navy in WWII. They were married for 77 wonderful years! The couple made their first home in Ponca City, OK where they raised their two boys, Gene Jr. and Rick who both treasured their mom. Rick said his mom was a great lady. Gene Jr. said their upbringing was like being in the Cleaver family of “Leave it to Beaver.” Gene Sr. recognized Velma as his greatest asset and said everything was for sale except Velma. As for me, she was the best mother-in-law I could ask or hope for.
As a young bride Velma learned to become a good cook and homemaker. She became known for her pies, meringue pies and various kinds of candy. She also upholstered furniture, made curtains, painted cabinets and rooms and liked to rearrange her furniture periodically. The family attended First Baptist Church in Ponca City. Velma became a realtor and then operated a beauty shop in their home. When their sons finished high school Gene and Velma moved to Pawnee, purchased land, built a house and raised cattle. They also owned and operated several small businesses together. Velma learned to keep the books on the computer. She also made calendars, cards and picture albums on the computer.
Gene and Velma enjoyed travelling, gardening and became die-hard Thunder fans. They visited Rick and Teresa in Abu Dhabi several times and Gene Jr., his daughter Kim and her family in Houston. We lost Gene Jr. to cancer when he was 62. We had a 50th anniversary party for Gene and Velma, a 70th anniversary party and a 90th birthday celebration for her. They worshiped at the First Baptist Church in Pawnee and then the Episcopal church there. Velma loved her bridge groups and her P.E.O. sisters of chapter H in Pawnee. She served as their president four times and enjoyed their meetings, giving programs, functions and fundraisers.
Other than dementia for her last ten years, Velma was blessed with remarkably good health and was on no medication. Gene and Velma came to live with us (Rick and Teresa) during Covid at Thanksgiving in 2020. We didn’t know why we bought a house with an elevator, but God did! Velma was on hospice her last three years. I can’t say enough praise for Hospice of North Central Oklahoma and the people who supplied the Senior meals. Many thanks to Dr. Allen, nurses Karen, Debbie and Susan, Chaplin Justin, Eric, social worker Barbra and last but not least, Melissa Bradley. She faithfully gave Velma two showers a week for three years. They absolutely loved each other. The hospice staff marveled at how good-natured Velma was, how she continued to flash her beautiful smile. Without their help and support we could not have done what we did. Velma woke up with a smile and went to bed with a smile each day. She was walking until here last 6 weeks.
Words describing Velma are sweet, happy, joyful, fun, loving, loyal, faithful, dependable, energetic, smart, tenacious, driven, hard-working, confident, capable and enterprising. She was a Proverbs 31 woman and a delight to everyone who knew her. I always said Velma ran circles around me. When she could no longer do that, it was such an honor to care for her the last four years of her life. We would do it again in a heartbeat!
Velma is survived by son Rick (Teresa) LeMonnier of Ponca City, OK, grandchild Kim (Breck) Angleton of Houston, TX, 7 great grandchildren and 8 great, great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Velma was preceded in death by husband Gene Sr., son Gene Jr., stepdaughter Lynda (Ed) Bryson, parents S.P. and Bessie Pearl Mynear, sisters Clara (Cleo) Spears and Alice (Floyd) Lake and brother-in-law Guy Sr. (Ima Jeane) LeMonnier.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Pawnee First Baptist Church
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