Velma Syferd

Graveside services are scheduled at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 23 at Twin Oaks Memorial Park for Velma Lee Syferd of Artesia, New Mexico. Mrs. Syferd, 87, died Thursday, November 21, 2002 at her home. Rev. J. Mark Robinson will officiate at the services. Honorary pallbearers will be Dee Witherspoon, Vern Bolton, Jerry Vest, and Harry Wesson. Mrs. Syferd was born May 12, 1915 in Diamond A Ranch, New Mexico; the daughter of James Euin Senn and Mary Mada Elizabeth Samples Senn. On August 1, 1937 she was married to Orlan Haines Syferd in Juarez, Mexico. He preceded her in death July 3, 1969. A lifelong Artesia area resident, she was a legal and administrative secretary at Artesia General Hospital; a member of First United Methodist Church; and was active at the Artesia Senior Citizens Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; and by a sister Faye Elizabeth Avis. Survivors include sons James Gilbert Syferd and Jon Wayne Syferd; a daughter Janis Lee St. Louis; a sister Effie May Kramp; grandchildren James Lyn Syferd, Jon Wendell Syferd, Scott St. Louis, and Shane St. Louis, Syrus Jon Syferd, Brandon James Syferd and Teresa Gay Biggers; and by six great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Paws Claws of Artesia or to Artesia General Hospital.