VELMA KILLION

1922 - 2021

KILLION Velma Stovall Killion Velma Stovall Killion, 99, passed away at home at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD on November 10, 2021, where she was in the company of her family and friends. Remembered as gracious, thoughtful, intelligent, with a good sense of humor and a deep faith. Velma began her remarkable life in Callisburg, TX on September 23, 1922, and was a beloved daughter and only child of Millie Ada Stailey and Carl Stovall whose marriage ended in divorce. She enjoyed spending time with her grandmother, Jane Byrd Stailey, aunts and uncles and playing with her many cousins in her large extended family. Throughout her childhood Velma loved and excelled in school. After graduation from high school in Marietta, OK she earned a certificate from Hill's Business College in Oklahoma City in 1941. She passed a federal government proficiency test at the Post Office and was offered a position by telegram with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) one week after the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The RFC was expanding its operations to increase production of wartime materials. Velma worked in Washington, DC as a Stenographer/Secretary for one year before returning home before Christmas in 1942 to attend college. While completing her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (Class of 1946) in English at Baylor University, she met her husband Lawrence (Larry) Killion at breakfast in the dining hall. Lawrence started as her trigonometry tutor and the rest was history. Their romance led to a gorgeous Washington, DC wedding on August 22,1948. She was an extremely supportive partner throughout Larry's career in the Air Force and as a nuclear physicist, relocating 27 times before settling in Potomac, Maryland from 1967-1992 and Paradise Valley, AZ from 1992-2014. Velma and Larry enjoyed international travel and meeting people from other countries along with square dancing. Velma found her passion teaching at several high schools where she enjoyed directing school plays and teaching English. She was a talented homemaker and dedicated mother, volunteering in the classroom and in Girl Scout and Campfire activities. She was ever faithful and generous to her church community, the Potomac Presbyterian Church. Along with her children, she also adored her two Pekingese dogs and cats. She was a longtime member of P.E.O. Sisterhood chapters in Arizona and Maryland sponsoring projects such as scholarships designed to assist women with their educational goals. In 2014 Velma moved to Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD, after being widowed where she would be close to family. She reunited with longtime friends and made many new ones. Velma is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Eugene Killion, her parents, Millie Ada Stovall Kimsey and Carl Stovall, and Christopher Lloyd, father of Kayleigh, Brittany, and Kathryn Lloyd. Velma is survived by daughters Jane Killion Irvine (Thomas) in Lewes, DE, Mary Killion Lloyd in San Rafael, CA, grandchildren Mark Irvine (Sonia) in Washington, DC, Matthew Irvine (Jaclyn) in Vienna, VA, Taylor Coe (Rebecca) in Grand Island, NY, Austen Coe in Seattle, WA and step grandchildren, Kayleigh Lloyd in San Francisco, CA, Brittany (Lance) Morrison in Orinda, CA, and Kathryn Lloyd in Reston VA and great-grandchildren, Alina, Jordan, Nathan and Eleanor Irvine, half-sister, Carlene Stovall Petree (Ken), Clovis, NM, niece, Brandi Segovia of Midland, TX, nephew, Brandon Cox, Clovis, NM, and grandniece, Burke Ann Segovia, grandnephews, Colton and Tucker Cox, and the father of Taylor and Austen Coe, Andrew Coe, Mesa, AZ. Velma lived an extraordinary life, showering those around her with kindness, wisdom, and love. She was the most generous and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all of those who crossed her path. Velma will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to have been loved by her. A private memorial service was held at the Potomac Presbyterian Church. An interment service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a future date. Velma lived an extraordinary life, showering those around her with kindness, wisdom, and love. She was the most generous and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all of those who crossed her path. Velma will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to have been loved by her. A private memorial service was held at the Potomac Presbyterian Church. An interment service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a future date.