Velma Jean Dodson-Verley |
| Posted 2022-11-14 by mhenderson |
| Published by Mohave Daily News Online from Nov. 6 to Nov. 16, 2022. Bullhead City, Arizona >> VELMA JEAN DODSON-VERLEY << Jean Verley started her life's story on September 10, 1947 in Powell, Wyoming. She closed the final chapter peacefully, at home in Fort Mohave, Arizona, on October 28, 2022. An avid reader, teacher, librarian and lover of all kinds of stories, Jean almost always had a book in her hand. She not only taught her students to love reading, she instilled a strong love of books and stories in her children and grandchildren. (Which is why her son married a writer.) A teacher most of her professional life, Jean worked in the Bullhead City School District for 30 years, first as a teacher, then as the school's librarian. Even before she became a teacher, she was bringing her kids to Book Fairs and when she became the Librarian, she was running them and bringing her grandchildren. Not one to just sit and read about adventures, Jean actively participated in a variety of community groups and activities. As a woman educator, she was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa sorority for 25 years. She was active with both Girl and Boy Scouts, as a Den Mother and Scout Leader. She enjoyed camping and exploring the world with her family, loving to visit the Grand Canyon, find a quiet spot and... of course, read! Being a teacher, Jean had the opportunity to read all kinds of books. She loved to learn as much as she loved to read and she was always sharing interesting things she had read recently or learned. She was an educator at heart and taught even when she wasn't in school, taking every opportunity she had to teach; her children, grandchildren and children at Sunday School. When Jean found a story she loved and thought her kids would as well, she could be very tenacious in her 'encouragement' for them to read it. No matter what book it was, one thing her kids could be certain of, if she said they'd like it, she would always be right! Books were a big part of her life, professionally and personally, but she was also a lover of music. She played the flute as well as handbells, sang in the church choir and enjoyed a variety of music genres, from rock 'n roll to hymns. Some of her favorite characters in her life were her children, David, Diana and David's wife, Julie, her grandchildren, Nathan and Katy and especially her husband, Leigh. Her family was the center of her life, the central plot to her story. She enjoyed the ability to have her grandkids grow up close by and was their Librarian when they went to Diamondback. The kids spent almost as much time at Grandma Jean's House as they did at home. Her husband, Leigh, was the love of her life and when they weren't both working, they were out together, spending time watching TV (they both loved Star Trek), taking care of their dogs, out exploring on their ATV's, on road trips to Utah and Wyoming, or playing games and visiting Disneyland with their kids and grandkids. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018 and were married 54 years. One of Jean's favorite books was the Bible. She was very active in the Hope United Methodist Church community. She was a regular fixture at Hope; being a member of the United Methodist Women, a Sunday School teacher and a leader with the Sierra Service Project's Youth Development Program. With Sierra, Jean helped repair houses at the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. In addition to being a member of the church choir, Jean was one of the primary performers in the Handbell Choir. She also occasionally played flute for the congregation, solo or in duet with her daughter, Diana. Some of Jean's favorite stories were Disney! Not one to use the kids as an excuse to visit Disneyland, she had even more fun exploring the parks with her children and grandchildren in tow. She passed on her appreciation of Disney animation and stories to her kids and grandkids and her collection of Disney books, video tapes and DVDs was well loved. Jean had a lot of love to give and throughout her life she shared that love not only with her human family, but her dog family. Several wonderful canine companions were her beloved 'furry kids': Corky, Rascal, Indy, Tigger, Scamper and Cash. Her love of dogs continued with her children and grandchildren. The eldest of four children, Jean spent her childhood and youth in Pennsylvania and Wyoming. She met and married Leigh in Riverton, Wyoming. They went on to attend the University of Wyoming in Laramie. She is survived by her husband, Leigh, her children, David and Diana, her grandchildren, Nathaniel and Katherine and her dogs, Scamper and Cash. She is also survived by her brothers Jim and Ken and her sister Janet. A memorial service in her honor will be held at Hope United Methodist Church in Bullhead City, Arizona on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 am. |
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