Velma Holliday Greer

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. This loving and compassionate lady passed away Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007. She was 79. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visiting resumes at Jefferson United Methodist Church, 10328 Jefferson Highway, on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until funeral service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Hulen Warren. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Velma, a native of Bogalusa and resident of Ponchatoula and Baton Rouge, was born on Jan. 28, 1928. Married to Joseph H. Ellis Sr. for 42 years until his death in 1987, they were the proud parents of two sons and a daughter. Velma had more love and companionship to give and God blessed her with Thomas B. Greer, a truly wonderful, considerate man with whom she shared 19 years of marriage until her death. Velma had a great passion for life and dedicated each day to using her God-given talents to nurture her family and serve her church and community. Her example and her tireless efforts made a difference in the world in many ways. Velma was most proud of the grace, humility and devotion she showed in caring for her profoundly retarded son, Danny. She enabled him to live for 50 years and, at his death in 2003, he was one of the two oldest living adults known worldwide with Cornelia DeLang Syndrome. In 1972, she began tape-recording church services at Winbourne Methodist Church and delivering those tapes to churchgoers who were ill or homebound. Over the next 16 years, she worked diligently to grow her individual ministry into what was known as Each Elder Ministry, a program recognized and funded by the Louisiana Conference of Methodist Churches. Her efforts served three churches and reached individuals in private homes and nursing facilities citywide. Velma truly loved everyone she met and always reached out to others with her beautiful smile, heartfelt hugs and helping hands. Her positive attitude toward life and unceasing generosity towards others touched many and brightened lives daily. Velma was blessed to be an outstanding cook and took great pride in sharing her specialties with family, friends and neighbors. She loved entertaining and filling her home with love and laughter. She loved to sew and share handcrafted gifts with family and friends. Velma also enjoyed music and always had a song in her heart and often on her lips, singing with the Baton Rouge Music Club Chorus for nine years until her health no longer allowed her to do so. She was a dedicated church member all her life, most recently at Jefferson United Methodist Church. Velma was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend. Her enthusiastic and joyous personality will be missed and the memory of her unwavering faith and optimism will continue to inspire all who knew her and loved her. Preceded in death by her parents, Mae Holliday Johnson and Joseph P. Holliday; first husband, Joseph H. Ellis Sr.; two sons, Joseph "Hal" Ellis and Danny Ellis; and sister, Josie H. Tucker. Survivors include her husband, Thomas B. Greer; daughter, Donna King and husband B.J.; two stepdaughters, Cindy Barrow and husband Ronald, and Tomi Lynn Morton and husband Paul; grandchildren, Lisa King, Adam King, Sara Hirschfield and husband Kevin, Stewart Ellis and wife Liz, and Meredeth Kleve and husband Charles; stepgrandchildren, Lauren Johnson and husband Craig, Rachel Enlow and husband Jason, Jeffrey Morton and wife Jane, Betsy and Emily Morton, Janell Pellichino and husband Rex, and Laurie Malone and husband Pat; great-grandchildren Zachary and Tyler Ellis, and Beau Kleve; stepgreat-grandchildren Brandon, Justin and Megan Pellichino, Caitlin and Ryan Malone, Logan Enlow and Nathan Johnson; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. The family of Mrs. Greer would like to thank Hospice of Baton Rouge for their kind support and loving care. Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.