Velma Queen

Mrs. Velma Hutchins Queen, 87, of Grace Ridge, Morganton, formerly of Valdese, died Sunday, April 20, 2008, at Grace Hospital. Mrs. Queen was born Aug. 8, 1920, in Columbia, S.C., to the late James Jennings and Johnsie Atkinson Hutchins. She was a faithful member of the Valdese First United Methodist Church serving as Sunday school teacher, and former president of the United Methodist Women. Mrs. Queen was retired from the Burke County school system with over 30 years of service. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vance L. Queen, and two brothers, James and Hugh Hutchins. Surviving are her two sons, Robert L. Queen and wife, Betsie, of Greensboro, and Keith M. Queen, of Lenoir; and two sisters, Peggy Berry and Mattie Garrou, both of Valdese. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Mark Queen, of Raleigh, Holly Queen Combs, of Charlotte, Michael Queen, of Lenoir, and Angie Queen Miller, of Wytheville, Va., and seven great-grandchildren, Lauren, Katherine and Owen Combs, Dylan and Wyatt Miller, and Kaleb and Tyler Queen. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Velma Hutchins Queen will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Valdese First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Daniel Lyons officiating. Entombment will follow in the Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday in the church parlor. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 217 St. Germain Ave., Valdese, NC 28690 An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralserives.com. Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese, is assisting the Queen family.