VELMA FANNING
At 88 years young. Velma was called to Heaven on March 30, 2007. The 83 year resident lead an incredible life. Born in Hope, NM on September 21, 1918. She moved to AZ in a covered wagon with her family at age 5. She was making biscuits at age 6 for hired hands at the family ranch behind the Peaks. She attended grade school at Kendrick Park. She moved to town and worked so she could go to high school. After high school she married Roy Fanning. While raising a family, she worked at a variety of local businesses. Roy and Velma built and worked their own business, Ponderosa Trailer Park, Market and Laundromat on Cedar Ave. For the past 25 years she worked for her sister at Mtn. View Market. She was very well known at all the Sheriff's Posse functions as well as the Elks Club. She was known as "Granny" to hundreds of kids and adults and loved everyone she met. Fanning Drive was named in honor of Velma and Roy. She was always game for all the family outings. She loved watching her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren playing sports, she was a regular on every field and flew with the NAU Football Team. Last year she went to Washington DC to see her grandson graduate from the FBI Academy and had a tour of the White House. She saw many changes in Flagstaff, from dirt streets to pavement, but preferred the smaller town.
Her husband Roy, brother Buck Hall, Grandson Rusty and Daughter-in-law Sherry Fanning, preceded Velma in death. She leaves behind her children: Wilma Smith, Robert (Karen) Fanning, Lila (Dave) Pierce. Seven grandchildren: Bobby (Kathy) Smith, Ray (Maryann) Smith, Kelli (Joel) Lacy, Jody (Monette) Fanning, Tawni Fanning, Dave (Nancy) Pierce and T.J. (Laura) Pierce. Eighteen Great-Grandchildren and one more Great-Grandson and Great-Great-Grandchild on the way. Sisters: Dorothy (Duwaine) Jones, Lola (Billy Bob) Lane, and many nieces and nephews.
The family invites you to attend the memorial service on Friday, April 6th at the Elks Lodge in Flagstaff at 12:00 noon. Pastor John Summers and John Deegan will be officiating this celebration of life. Please come prepared to share a special memory of Velma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to be used to support youth groups in the Flagstaff area.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com

Arrangements by Norvel Owens Mortuary