Velma Ann McKeever

Velma Ann Brummett McKeever was born 12-11-1932 in Utahn, Utah to Wesley B. and Alice G. Brummett joining a family of boys, earning the nickname "Dolly". As the only girl, she may have been just a little "spoiled"! Early life included living on several different family farms throughout the Uintah Basin in Utah. With a family of strong boys, and a girl who insisted on helping out as well, they often spent many months of the year working on other relatives' farms in other states with travels from Washington and Oregon down to California. Velma loved learning and loved her friends in Roosevelt and Myton. She was an honor student in high school and attended Girls' State at the nomination of her local community. When her father died in a tragic accident on the farm, Velma's mother and two younger brothers moved into the town of Myton. Velma stepped up and as a teenager finished out her father's county clerk tenure. During her senior year of high school, she met the love of her life, Carl D. McKeever, who was working on a geophysical crew in the area. Carl often said they met at a dance. Velma claims it was at Easter service at church!

The couple married shortly after Velma's 18th birthday and she finished her high school years quite proudly as "Mrs. Carl Daniel McKeever". Married life on a geophysical crew meant many, many moves during their first years of marriage. From Buffalo, Wyoming to Gulf Shores, Alabama and a multitude of locations in between, Carl and Velma built their lives and family. A son, Wesley Daniel (Dan), was born in 1951 in Roosevelt, Utah in a blinding snowstorm on Christmas Day. A daughter, Laurie Ann, followed several years later in Beaumont, Texas. Sadly, they lost Laurie at just 3 months old. Carl and Velma temporarily settled in Dallas before being relocated yet again to Midland, Texas where they welcomed a third child in 1957, Mary Alice.

During her years in Midland, Velma was an active member of Crestview Baptist Church and loved her WMU group of friends as well as her work in the children's department. In 1969, the family was transferred for the last time to Dallas, Texas. Velma found a home at Wilshire Baptist Church. She spent many years (decades!) involved in the various activities at the church - the sewing group, the senior choir, Vacation Bible School, bowling leagues, and ESL classes for immigrant women. Velma enjoyed working in the Wilshire kitchen with Fran and Jean, treasuring the friendships and the fun they had. She had so many friends in the Sunday School classes they were a part of - Monna and AD, Dot and Ed, Kathy, Garland and Carol, Barbara, Anelle and Bob, Mark, and so many others whose names I heard throughout my adult life but cannot recall right now. She did not forget any of you - and I have the photos to prove it!!

When Carl retired, he designed and supervised the building of their dream home in Sachse, where Velma lived until her death. While in Sachse, they attended South Garland Baptist Church and fully participated in all activities, but their hearts were at Wilshire and they rejoined that fellowship in the early 1990s.

As a retired couple, Velma LOVED to travel. She and Carl joined several RV clubs, enjoying monthly camping trips and game nights. It was here that they met their very special friends, Bob and Betty Skelton. They explored Hawaii, Costa Rica, Panama, and Europe as well as almost all 50 states. Their excursions with Wilshire's Adventurers were especially meaningful to them. Visiting her grandkids and taking them on trips was always a top priority.

Velma loved her family and kept family traditions alive even as she aged. Christmas Eve meant shrimp gumbo and the opening of Christmas presents beside her large and fully decorated tree. Birthdays were an occasion for cake, presents, and celebration even beyond our childhood years.

Velma is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Carl Daniel McKeever of Sachse, TX; her son, Wesley Daniel McKeever; her daughter, Laurie Ann McKeever; her son-in-law, Kevin Herring; and her brothers: Milton Brummett, Alvin Brummett, Verne Brummett, and Norman Brummett. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Alice McKeever Herring of Briggs, TX; her daughter-in-law, Kathryne McKeever of Plano, TX; her granddaughter, Diana Michelle McKeever of Sachse, TX; her grandson, Cody Zane McKeever of Santa Fe, NM; her grandson, Stephen Daniel McKeever (Jessika) of Denver, CO; her granddaughter, Callie Layne Herring of Briggs, TX; her brother, Wesley Brummett of Casper, WY; her sister-in-law, Delores McKeever of Red Oak, TX; and a very special niece, Doris Ann Horan (Jim) of St. George, UT as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends from California to Wyoming to East Texas. Friends and family meant the world to mom and she was blessed to have many. Velma passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 with members of her loving family by her side.

A funeral service will be held Friday, July 16, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Wilshire Baptist Church 4316 Abrams Rd., Dallas, Texas 75214