Velda Davidson

Velda (Stone) Davidson passed away on the afternoon of November 30, 2020. Her last days were spent surrounded by her husband of nearly 68 years and her loving children. She will be sorely missed. However, for Velda—a devout follower of Christ—to be absent from the body is to be present with the Father in Heaven. Her husband and family rejoice in her eternal rest.

Velda was born to Gannel (Lewis) Stone and William Bell Stone on July 16, 1934. She was married to her husband, Ronald Wayne Davidson I, on December 14, 1952. They were preparing to celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary. They were the first couple to be married in, what was then, Carpenter Street Baptist Church’s new sanctuary.

Velda and Ronald have five children (all of whom survive). There are four sons and one daughter. They are:  Ronald II (wife Patty), Ricky (wife Joann), and Rance—all of Moberly, Robin (wife Teresa) of Republic, Missouri, and Renee Wilson (husband Bill) of Springfield, Missouri. Velda has 23 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.

She has two surviving sisters: Verlena (Stone) Davidson of Imperial, Missouri and Vonna (Stone) Downs of Green Bay, Wisconsin. She has a surviving step-sister—Joan Bigden of Fredricksburg, Texas. She had one, beloved sister—Vickie (Stone) Moss—who preceded her in death.

Her parents preceded her in death, as well as her in-laws, Robert A. Davidson and Geneva (Farris) Davidson. Her step-mother, Gladys (Bigden) Stone also preceded her in death.

Velda was a member of Carpenter Street Baptist Church since 1950. Even prior to becoming a member, she played piano for the Sunday School and Bible School for Carpenter Street’s mission in Renick, Missouri. Later, at Carpenter Street, she played the piano—changing to organ for twenty years before retiring. All totaled, she played fifty-nine years for her church.

She taught the Senior Ladies Sunday School class from 2002 until she could no longer meet the obligations a few years ago. It was her joy, and she loved each of her class members. Velda also went on many mission trips—including trips to Indonesia, Bolivia, Mexico, and several within the United States.

Velda was a member of the Women’s’ Auxiliary of the Gideons; NARVE; and served on the Board of the Randolph County Health Department for nineteen years—many of which were served as the Chairperson of the Board. She was a Registered Nurse and worked at the Moberly Regional Medical Center, Moberly Public Schools, Parents as Teachers, and the Randolph County Health Department.

She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, with all her heart; she loved her family; and she loved her church—in that order.

Any wishing to make donations, please contribute to Gideons or St Jude’s.

Services honoring Velda’s life were held in the Carpenter Street Baptist Church.  Private committal prayer and burial were at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.