Velma Craiglow

Velma Marie Craiglow, 78, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, at her home.

She was born Oct. 20, 1930, at Neelys Landing, daughter of William and Nellie Meyer McLard. She and William Craiglow were married Nov. 26, 1950.

Velma graduated from Jackson High School in 1946 and received a teaching certificate from Southeast Missouri State University in 1948. She taught for a brief time at the former Randles School in Randles.

She was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Fruitland, volunteered at the Jackson Senior Center and was a former member of the Live and Learn Club.

Velma loved her friends and family. She was a zealous reader of just about any book and loved flowers and gardening.

Loving survivors include her husband of 58 years; her children, David Craiglow of Delta, Mary Kay (Lee) Richardson of Jackson, Susan (Frank) Leadbetter of Jackson, James (Marilyn) Craiglow of Cape Girardeau, Laurel Craiglow of Cape Girardeau and Jon Craiglow of Jackson.

Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Joni and Jeff Brown, Dale and Adam Richardson, Jennifer Craiglow, Sara Blechle, Tyler and Mason Craiglow, Alex and Eric Craiglow, Blake Trickey, and Parker Craiglow; 16 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jack (Janet) McLard of Imperial, Mo., Fred McLard of Jackson, Cecil (Betty) McLard of Barnhart, Mo.; three sisters, Alma Smith and Shirley (C.J.) Johnson of Monrovia, Calif., and Lilly Bagley of San Dimas, Calif.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Barry Winders officiating. Interment will be in McLain Chapel Cemetery in the Indian Creek community.

Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church Kitchen Fund.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.