Velma Counts

SIKESTON — Velma Ruthine Counts, age 88, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2020, at Clearview Nursing and Rehab in Sikeston, Missouri. 

She was born in Reno, Arkansas, on July 21, 1931, to the late Dempse and Lillie King Taylor.

She was employed as a secretary at the canvas factory and was a member of Communities of Christ Church.

On Oct. 25, 1947, in Reno, Arkansas, she married Eul Lee Counts who preceded her in death on May 17, 2000.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Velma Lee and Gerald Oliver of Sikeston; two brothers, Glen Taylor and Bill Taylor; two sisters, Charlotte Butler and Bunny Keesee; two grandchildren and their spouses, Andrew and Susan Oliver and Kathryn and Erik O'Reilly; and six great-grandchildren, Nicholas Beard, Steven Holman III, Andrew O'Reilly, Camron O'Reilly, Charlee Oliver and Shia O'Reilly.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Stephen Counts; one brother, Don Taylor; and two sisters, Lequita Morris and Betty Taylor.

Friends may call Wednesday, May 27, 2020, from noon until the time of services at 1 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston with her nephew, Baptist Pastor Tommy Gerrish, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Richwoods Cemetery near Corning, Arkansas.

Paid obituary