Velma R. Lemons

Services for Velma Ruth Lemons, 94, of Tyler, will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 10:30 am at West Erwin church of Christ with Jay Lockhart officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Springs Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Lemons passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Meadow Lake Memory Care in Tyler. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, in Tyler. Velma was born in Hutchinson County, Texas to Thomas and Carey Ione Stevenson Henderson. Because of the family ranch’s remote location, she was home schooled until the age of 9 when a school bus route was available. She graduated as valedictorian at the age of 16. After graduating, she was offered scholarships from several colleges, including Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; the University of Texas in Austin, TX; Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX; Texas State College in Denton, TX, but she chose West Texas State Teachers College in Canyon, TX. While there, she played drums in the band, basketball, volleyball, and ran track. She was on the swim team and played semi-professional basketball for two years. She also coached basketball and the swim team, worked as a student teacher, and taught Sunday School classes. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, Velma started her teaching career in Dumas, TX, then in Stinnett, TX. While taking summer classes, she met and married Charles D Lemons, Jr. and moved to Tyler where she continued to teach at many schools including Bell, Marsh, Bonner, Douglas, and Orr Elementary and East Texas Christian Academy. Velma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles D. Lemons, Jr.; and siblings, Basil Henderson and Tommyann Curry. She is survived by her loving family including her sister, Oletha Reed of Borger, TX; children, Sherryl Miles of Tyler, Marc Lemons and wife Tammy of Tyler, Bart Lemons and wife Karen of Chandler, and Clark Lemons and wife, Pat of Clarksville, TN; grandchildren, Shelley, Stephanie, Misty, Carla, Katie, Jeremy, Lauren, Jennifer, Amanda, Haleigh, Caitlin, Brian, and Dustin; great-grandchildren, Gretchen, Griffin, Xan, Colton, Mallory, Brooklyn, Charles Cruz, Bennett, Ryleigh, Jaxson, Addison, Brooklyn, Callie, Hadleigh, Madilyn, and Emma. Also, special friends, Pam Lemons and Cindy Boatman. Velma was a member of: * Girl Scouts of America for 8 years *The East Texas Area Council, Boy Scouts of America for 38 years, receiving the “Faithful Service” award in 1998. She taught merit badge courses in Tyler churches and all 3 of her sons were Eagle Scouts. *Smith County Retired Teachers & School Personnel Association *Tyler Chapter of Texas A&M University Mothers’ Club for 19 years, president 1985-1987 *50 years of teaching Bible classes, 37 of those teaching toddlers at West Erwin Church of Christ. *American Classroom Educators in Tyler – 6 years, serving as vice president and president *Member of the Texas Education Association for 21 years, serving on many committees. *Served on the Texas State Textbook Committee 6 times, serving as chairwoman of the committee to rewrite school curriculum. *12 years teaching at Orr *Honorary Life Membership of PTA, serving since 1944 Pallbearers will be Brian Lemons, Dustin Lemons, Dave Pavlock, Zuker Gill, Jeremy Laningham, and John Turner. Honorary pallbearers will be all active scouts in the East Texas Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2016 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, in Tyler. Because of Velma’s lifelong dedication to the love of education and children everywhere, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Velma Lemons Scholarship Fund [ETCF - East Texas Communities Foundation, 315 N. Broadway, Suite 210, Tyler, TX 75702 / 903.533.0208 / www.etcf.org] to help students majoring in education.

Velma R. Lemons

July 11, 1922 - June 22, 2017