Velma Grace Johnston Becker peacefully passed from this world to a much better life on Thursday, May 10, 2018. She is preceded in death by her husband Richard Lee Becker, her mother Sylvia Pearl Payne Johnston, and her father Roy Grandville Johnston, seven brothers and one sister.
She is survived by her son, Bill Vernon Becker and wife Freida Katherine Heidenthal Becker, son Michael Eugene Becker and wife Ramona Stubblefield Wilkins, brother Arthur Gene Johnston and wife Mary Rita Valdez Johnston, sister Mary Arlene Johnston Johnson, and sister Dorothy Pearl Johnston Archie. She is also survived by grandchildren; Andrea Shaffer, Jeffery Phillips, Kathy O’Brien, Brandon Becker, John Phillips, Michael Wilkins, Rose Johnson, Mary Huffmon and Leah Barnes; 14 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Born in Nebraska, spending much of her your life and early adult life in Colorado, she lived most of her life in and around her property in south east Sebastian County, Arkansas. Her professional life consisted of working in the medical field as an aide or certified nurse’s assistant. However, her legacy would undoubtedly be in her arts and crafts, her paintings, ceramic dolls and her photography. She enjoyed traveling with her sister to parts unknown, bringing back boxes of photographs. She was also known for her flower beds and her rock walkways. She always said that she would much rather be outside rooting in the dirt than be doing almost anything else.
She will be sorely missed by those who knew her in good times and bad, in her sickness and health and in her will to survive amid painful and difficult circumstance.
Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Fentress Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.
Visitation will be 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be John Phillips, Jeffery Phillips, Brandon Becker, Rose Johnson, Dennis Huffmon, and Michael Wilkins.
