Velma Louise Surface

Velma Louise (McElroy) Surface, 100 of Odessa, Missouri passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at home surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 7995 Outer Rd., Odessa, MO, 64076.  A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will be at the Higginsville City Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.  Memorials are suggested to Wolfner Library or Samaritans Purse.  Memories of Velma and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2^nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524. 

Velma was born on September 1, 1921, in Mayview, MO to John and Agnes (Legate) McElroy.  She graduated in 1938 from Higginsville High School in Higginsville, MO.  Velma was united in marriage to Louis Gann in 1939.  They later divorced.  In 1962 she married Grant Surface in Las Vegas, NV.  In 1997 Grant preceded her in death.  Velma was a devoted wife, loving mother, and exemplary homemaker who enjoyed sewing, and quilting.  Velma enjoyed her family immensely and further distinguished herself as a bookkeeper at Hereford’s Clothing, nurse’s aide, and home health care worker.  She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and the Calvary Quilters Club.

Survivors include five children, Shela Cornell of Hanford, CA, Linda Dowell of Odessa, MO, Cherie McGuire (Jerry) of Chico, CA, Jeff Gann (Kathy) of Senecaville, OH, and Marty Surface (Debby) of Salem, OR;  12 grandchildren, April Morris, Amy Parsons, Adrienne Frisbie, Becki Mitchell, Doug Cornell, Erica Zifzal, Kody Gann, Isaac Gann, Brent McGuire, Shane McGuire, Brent Dowell, and Thad Dowell; 15 great grandchildren, Taylor Frisbie, Savanna Stebbins, Emily Parsons, Andrew Morris, Sean Morris, Brenna Mitchell, Emma Mitchell, Emma Zifzal, Zaden Zifzal, Clay Zifzal, Sienna McGuire, Hailey McGuire, Alana Dowell, Dawson Dowell, Hayden Dowell, and Carson Dowell; and many extended family, friends and relatives.  Velma was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first great-great grandchild. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Velma was preceded in death by a sister, Lilah McClarney, a brother, Leo McElroy; and two sons-in-law, Roger Dowell and Ed Cornell.