Velma Bernice Riggs Douglass

Velma Berniece Riggs Douglass, loving mother,
grandmother and great grandmother, sister and friend
returned to the arms of her loving Father in Heaven on
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 in Logan, Utah. Velma was
born on a beautiful fall day at the family home in
Millville on October 14, 1915. The first child and
daughter of Alma LaVern and Dora Marie Winborg Riggs.
She was raised on the family farm and wasn’t afraid of
hard work; topping beets, milking cows and hauling
hay. She and her sister, Helen, worked together,
played together and loved being mischievous. She loved
music and was an accomplished violinist. She enjoyed
playing with the USU Orchestra for the operas and
musicals held at the old Capital Theatre. She
graduated from Utah Agriculture College in 1937 in
Elementary Education and taught third and fourth
grades at the Millville Elementary School. She
returned to college later in life and received her
certificate in Special Education. She taught at the
Cache Training Center for 7 years. She had a special
place in her heart for the Special Education children
and showered them with love and they returned their
love to her with hugs every morning as she greeted
them. She loved people and especially her children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren and everyone who
stepped through her doorway, many times giving them a
gift to go home with; painted dishtowels, one of the
dolls from her collection and always cookies or candy
for the children. Not only did she love the young
children but she had a loved the elderly as well. She
took care of many elderly throughout the valley as a
caregiver. The stranger on the street was welcome in
her home and they quickly became a friend. She truly
had the pure love of Christ. She married Howard Blaine
Douglass and together they brought five of Heavenly
Father’s children into their home to love and raise.
One son and four daughters, Gaydra Berniece Douglass
Hardman (Cyril), Bonnie Ruth Douglass Lower (Bruce),
James Blaine Douglass (Jolene), Genette Marie Douglass
King (Randy) and Karren Douglass Hendricks (David).
She is survived by one sister, Cloteele Stewart
(Clyde) and one brother, Alma LaVern Riggs (Gladys).
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents,
sister and a great granddaughter. She was the
grandmother to 19 grandchildren and 47 great
grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She was
a special grandma and adored children and loved
playing dolls, games and cars with all of the
grandchildren and great grandchildren; all the
children who visited her home quickly became her
friend and knew where to find the toy box and cookie
jar. She was the best pen pal a missionary could have
and loved writing every week to her grandsons and
granddaughters who served missions. She enjoyed
crocheting, embroidery and crewel work and was an
artist, enjoying painting trees, “Only God can make a
tree, I just love trees with or without leaves” she so
often said. She also enjoyed paining flowers and
scenery. Velma was a member of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in the Primary
and Relief Society. She had a testimony of her Lord
and Savior and truly loved him. We love you mother
dear and will miss you so very much but look forward
to the day we can be together forever. Thank you for
being a wonderful mother, grandmother and great
grandmother. The family wishes to express thanks to
the sweet nurses and doctor that took such loving care
of her the past few days.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday Spetember3,
2005 at 12:00 Noon at the Allen-Hall Mortuary Chapel.
Friends may call at the mortuary on Friday evening
from 6 to 8pm and on Saturday from 10:30am till time
of services. Interment will be in the Smithfield City
Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family and register book
signed at www.allenmortuaries.net