Velma Sturgis

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 19, 2010

NATCHEZ — Services for Velma Bernice Sturgis, 80, of Natchez, who died March 16, 2010, at St. Francis Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, La., will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Don Slider and the Rev. Victor Stewart officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at the church.

Mrs. Sturgis was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Wisner, La., the daughter of Issac Hamilton Tarver and Frances Elizabeth Thornton Tarver. She was a Sunday school teacher for a number of years and was president of the Ladies Missionary Council.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and three brothers.

Survivors include her husband, Leland Gayle Sturgis; three daughters, Linda Varnado and Barbara Hinson, both of Natchez, and Pamela Tracy of Memphis, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren, Bill Varnado of Jackson, Charlie Varnado, Lacie McElwee, Dustin Smith, Sarah Hinson, Megan Hinson, Taylor Hinson and Britton Hinson, all of Natchez, Thomas Tracy Jr. of Franklin, Tenn., and Kendra Hinson Warren of Brookhaven; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Florence Bankston of Natchez; and one brother, Vince Tarver of Lake Charles, La.

Pallbearers will be Gary McIntosh, Wade Tarver, Bruce Tarver, Don Tarver, Thomas Tracy and Taylor Hinson.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.