Velda Maxine Boxley

Velda Maxine Boxley known to many as “Granny”, 101, of Melbourne Beach, FL, passed away peaceably at home January 7, 2021. Velda, the youngest of 6 children, was born April 17, 1919 on the family farm outside of Browning, MO to Henry Wilson Curtis and Letha Elfleda Smith Curtis.

Velda married Robert McCullough on May 8, 1937, they had 1 daughter, Letha “Darlene” on May 25, 1938. In 1942, Velda and Robert divorced. Velda and Darlene moved to Tuscon, AZ where she worked at the Davis-Monthan Army Air Base as a sheet metal worker repairing B-24 Bombers until the end of WWII in 1945.

In 1946 Velda was hospitalized for nearly a year with tuberculous. After her recovery, Velda continued to work in Tuscon where she met Gould Boxley. They married November 10, 1949 and moved to Yuma, AZ where Gould continued to work for Southern Pacific railroad as a boilermaker.

After retiring from the railroad in 1954, Gould and Velda moved to a dairy farm south of Humphreys, MO. In September 1956 Velda’s first grandchild, Mary Lou Smith was born and Velda became “Granny”. Velda’s grandchildren loved visiting the farm and staying with “Granny” and “Grandpa”. From 1967-1970, her grandsons Kenny and Gary Smith lived on the farm with her and Gould.

In April, 1977 upon retirement Gould and Velda moved to Brookfield, MO. Velda remained in Brookfield after Gould’s death in 1982. Velda was an active member of Park Baptist Church and was always helping others and giving rides.

In June 2009, Velda sold her home in Brookfield and moved to Kansas City, KS to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. Her daughter, Darlene Hoskinson passed away in August of 2009 of colon cancer. In May 2014, Velda moved with her granddaughter to Melbourne Beach, FL.

Velda loved to read, do crossword puzzles, watch Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. Velda was very kind and loving, she enjoyed visiting with friends and family. Velda “Granny” will be greatly missed by all her friends, family, and neighbors that have had their hearts touched by her.

Velda is survived by a step-daughter Mary Ellen Bacile, of Seal Beach, CA; a step-son Jack Schmitt, Panama City, FL; a son-in-law Albert Hoskinson, Cocoa, FL; 7 grandchildren: Mary Lou Smith DeWalt (Marc) of Melbourne Beach, FL, Kenneth Eugene Smith (Cindy) of Kansas City, MO, Pamela Sue Smith, Kansas City, KS, James H Burners, Brookfield, MO, David Boyer (Laura), Huntington Beach, CA, Kimberly Landworth (Jonathan), Los Alamitos, CA, and Angela Bacile, San Diego, CA; 14 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Velda was preceded in death by her husband Gould Boxley; her daughter Letha “Darlene” Hoskinson; her parents Henry Curtis and Letha Smith Curtis; 3 brothers: Hubert Hadley Curtis, Harold Scott Curtis, and Delbert S Curtis; 2 sisters: Vera Lee Donoho and Velma Irene May; 2 grandsons: Gary Dale Smith and Christopher Boyer.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Park Lawn Cemetery in Brookfield, Missouri with Pastor David Blakely officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at Wright Funeral Home in Brookfield, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Park Baptist Church, 121 East Park Street, Brookfield, MO 64628

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