This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Lankford, Dishroon, Joes Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4540/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Funeral services will be held Friday, July 09, 2010 at 10 a.m. at First Church of the Nazarene for Velma Lankford, 94, who passed away on July 03, 2010 at her home in Norman, Oklahoma, following a brief illness. Velma resided in Mesilla Park for 67 years before moving to Norman in 2003 to be near family. Born to Henry Dishroon and Martha Anna Jones Dishroon on January 01, 1916, near Winnsboro, Texas, Velma was the third of eight children. The family moved to Tahoka, Texas, when Velma was seven years old, and then to Seagraves, Texas, taking up life as dry-land farmers in the midst of a drought and the Depression. In 1936 she moved to Las Cruces to live with her oldest sister, whose husband was starting the Church of the Nazarene in Las Cruces. Velma apprenticed as a beautician with Vera Roberts, and in 1937 was the last beautician in New Mexico to earn her license through the state's expiring apprenticeship-only option. Velma married Ray Lankford in 1938, and after traveling with Ray's job with the Agricultural Adjustment Administration throughout New Mexico for three years they settled in Mesilla Park. She opened her own beauty shop at the back of their house in 1953, supporting the family while Ray got his commercial building enterprise off the ground. During her years as a beautician she had a steady clientele of "standing appointments," who all became dear friends. Closing her shop in 1973 was a heart-wrenching decision, but she relished the newfound time to garden, sew, and be a homemaker. She loved nature even as a child, and leaving the lushness of east Texas for the parched plains of west Texas had a lasting effect on her. Velma said that she always tried to recreate the verdant beauty she had left behind in east Texas; consequently, her Mesilla Park yard consisted of two-thirds of an acre of landscaped cutting gardens. She particularly loved roses, iris, and peonies (which were not supposed to grow in this climate). Her joy was to provide a fresh-cut flower arrangement each Sunday for church. On Monday, the arrangement found its way to someone she thought would enjoy it for the week. Velma's pin-curls, finger-waves, and green thumb were only some of the gifts manifested through her hands. She created dress patterns simply by copying what she saw in a magazine; her fried chicken and "chicken crumbles" were legendary; divinity was an art rather than a recipe; and no one could give a more tender and loving neck rub. The greatest compliment she ever received was to be called "Mother" by her children's spouses. She lived to be 94 by following her own mandate: "Haul yourself out of bed, get dressed, and go to school/work. You'll feel better for it." Until two weeks before she passed away, she got up every day, got dressed, combed her hair, and put on her makeup - even though she was not going anywhere or expecting company. Even with all her talents, Velma's greatest gift and most lasting legacy is her life of faith in Jesus Christ. She lived what she believed, and her hours of quiet listening and shared pearls of wisdom will be most treasured by those who knew her. Because she loved the written word, she wrote many articles and collected "one-liners" along with reams of poems and essays of faith. She eventually shared these with friends and family, giving each one a personalized selected collection. She was a member of the Las Cruces First Church of the Nazarene for 62 years. Velma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 64 years, an infant daughter, two sisters, and three brothers. She is survived by daughter Ouida Scales and husband, Cecil, of Farmington, New Mexico; son Wayland Lankford and wife, Patsy, of Lawrence, Kansas; and daughter Joyce Allman and husband, Jim, of Norman, Oklahoma. She also is survived by seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. Additional survivors include her sister Ruth Wilson of Carrizozo, New Mexico; brother Gene Dishroon of Las Cruces; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Her children express heartfelt gratitude to her caregivers Sherry Neal and Dawn Coleman, who made her stay at home possible. They adopted Miss Velma and loved her as their own. The family will receive visitors at La Paz-Graham's Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery. She will live in our hearts forever. Donations may be made to Upward Call Ministries, Inc., P. O. Box 1054, Edgewood, NM 87015. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on July 7, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.