Velma Homan

When reflecting on the life of Velma Homan, words such as sweet, kindhearted, and genuine come to mind. However, perhaps the thread that is woven most predominantly throughout her tapestry in time would be the thread that represents her nurturing spirit. After spending only a few minutes with her, it was easy to see that her life was rooted in something different, something deeper, and that something was her faith. A devoted wife, Velma was blessed to share much of her life with her true love, and together they witnessed their family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who made her so very proud. A woman of great wisdom, Velma was a natural teacher who loved encouraging and inspiring others to do their very best. She will never be forgotten.

It seems only fitting that Velma’s story began during a time that was as vibrant as she was. It was the 1920s when ballroom dancing, jazz music, and motion pictures in both color and sound permeated the cultural fabric of our nation. Cars were finally within reach for the average American as assembly lines finally manufactured them, and the world of flight soared above the clouds with Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1924 when George and Iva (Louden) Garrison were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the warmth of the summer sun covered the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, in all its fullness. The big day finally arrived when the baby girl they named Velma June drew her first breath on June 24th. She was the second of five children in her family, joining her older sister, Merna, and later, her younger siblings, Carl, Leslie, and Ellen. When she was still a young girl, Velma moved to the Vicksburg area with her family.

Velma’s father worked at the sanitarium in Battle Creek while her mother ran an adult foster care program. As a student, she attended Vicksburg Community Schools where she loved playing softball at recess. During most of her life, she wrote poems and also memorized them. She loved going to the sanitarium in Battle Creek for group dances, otherwise known as “group marches” at the time, and going to the top of the sanitarium there, too, to look out over the city.

Life was forever changed for Velma when she moved into the neighborhood of the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Bob Homan, and they got to know one another because his sister, Pearl, became friends with Velma. Pearl, never one to be shy, asked Velma if she would like to go out with Bob. Since Velma thought Bob was cool, she eagerly accepted the invitation. They soon began dating and fell deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Velma and Bob were married on November 2, 1942, although it was a longstanding joke that Bob married Velma for her “nice legs.” They were thrilled to welcome five children, Sandra, Sally, Bonnie, Rob, and Ivy, into their hearts and home.

It was easy to see that Velma’s family meant everything to her. She especially loved babies and children as she had the most amazing motherly instincts. Everyone was always welcome for dinner at Velma’s, and boy oh boy, could she cook the most amazing meals from scratch. Among her many specialties were her pies, fried chicken, fried potatoes, cookies, and her beef and noodles that were just to die for. Velma also loved teaching her family to cook. Patient, compassionate, selfless, and a generous hostess, …these were all among the qualities that made her such an outstanding mother.

Throughout her life, Velma was a woman of many interests, and what made these interests even better was sharing them with the ones she loved. She and Bob liked visiting Grand Marais in the Upper Peninsula, and one of Velma’s favorite things was to visit new places as well. She was always up for going wherever someone else was going, but she also loved when people came to visit her … perhaps even more than she liked traveling to see others. Velma liked sewing and canning, which was evident once you saw that her cabinets were filled with beautifully canned fruits and vegetables. Her favorite colors were pastels, especially purple and yellow. Yellow roses were her absolute favorite, and when it came to foods she like popcorn and watermelon. As her family and friends can attest, driving wasn’t really Velma’s strong suit, although she did get three deer with her car one hunting season while Bob only got one.

In addition to her family, Velma’s faith was a cornerstone in her life. She was very active in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving within the church in a variety of ways throughout her life. Velma was more than willing to do whatever was needed including preparing meals for funeral luncheons and running their Sabbath school. In addition, it was important to her that her children and grandchildren attended their vacation Bible school. Velma’s Bible was precious to her, and it was something she not only read, but something she lived.

Kindhearted, hardworking, and genuine, Velma Homan was a blessing to everyone she met. As a child of the Great Depression, she was resourceful, thrifty, and content in whatever life brought. Velma was nurturing and loving, and as Bob’s health declined, she saw to it that he had everything he needed. Deeply loved by everyone she met, she will never be forgotten.

Velma J. Homan, of Vicksburg, died on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Velma’s family includes her children, Sandra (Larry) York, Sally (Buzz) Fort, Bonnie Wolfe, Rob (Kathy) Homan, Ivy (Eric) Kirchberg; 12 grandchildren: Kathy, Betsy, Rob, Adam, Dana, Janelle, Heidi, Eric, Megan, Alex, Becky & Zach; many great-grandchildren; two sisters, Merna Hargis, of MO, and Ellen Minnis, of Union City. Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2013; and two brothers, Carl and Leslie Garrison. The family will receive friends and family on Sunday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main St. (649-1697). A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church; 23679 M-86, Centreville. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook or share a memory and/or photo. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church.