Velma Braly VanStraten

Velma Braly VanStraten, 98, of Dumas, died Monday, February 26, 2007, in Dumas. Services will be held Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at 10:00 AM in Bethel Assembly of God with Rev. Josh Morris, pastor, officiating and Rev. H. L. Stevens, retired minister, assisting. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM, February 28, 2007, in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa. Velma Edith VanStraten was born to Blymyer Martin Lester and Hattie Jessie Terry Lester on March 16, 1908, in Oklahoma Indian Territory. She married Hillon R. Braly on June 30, 1929, in Wheeler, TX and they had three children: Dovie Jean Braly, James Robert Braly and Larry Wayne Braly. They lived in Wheeler, Shamrock, Magic City and for a short time in Wauka, TX, where Hillon worked as a custodian and Velma worked in the school cafeteria as a cook. They moved to Pampa , TX where Hillon retired and preceded her in death in March of 1970. On March 3, 1971, she married Joseph A. VanStraten in Pampa and they relocated in Dumas. They enjoyed working in the yard and were very good gardeners. One summer they won the Garden of the Week award. Mr. VanStraten preceded her in death in 1990. Velma was a very loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. Her life demonstrated the characteristics of the Proverbial Woman described in the Book of Proverbs. She devoted herself to her family and to her Church. She loved children and babies and worked for many years in her Church nursery in Pampa. She participated faithfully in her Church, Bethel Assembly of God, in Dumas, and was an important part of the Womens Ministries group. She believed in the importance of Church outreach and world evangelism and supported many missionary programs. She made numerous quilts for missionaries and was a faithful follower of her Lord and Savior. She was well thought of by her friends and family and when needs arose, everyone had confidence in her faithfulness to pray and intercede on their behalf. She also made clothes for her family as well as for numerous nieces and nephews and she was a wonderful cook and hostess. She loved gardening, canning fruits, vegetables and making jelly. She was an avid fisherwoman and had the patience of Job when baiting the grandkids hooks and untangling their fishing lines. She enjoyed camping out and traveling to visit friends and loved ones. Velma came from a large family having nine other siblings and loved to surround herself with family. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Dovie Collins, in 1998; one son, James Robert Braly, who was killed in action in the Korean War and a grandson, David Collins in 1993. PSurvivors include: one son, Larry Wayne Braly and wife Carolyn of Longview, TX; one sister, Alma Mitchell of Fort Worth, TX; three grandchildren, Chris Collins, Larry and Bettye Collins, and Regina and Ronnie Hatter;SPAN style