Velma Louise Dowsett, 79, of Silvis, passed away Saturday May 28, 2011, at Trinity Rock Island. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Schroder Mortuary, Silvis. Visitation will be 4 p.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the funeral home. Per Velma's wishes, cremation rites will follow services. Inurnment will be at Roselawn Cemetery, Moline, at a later date. Memorials may be made in Velma's name to the Rock Island or Scott County Humane Society.
The former Velma Hutchings was born Aug. 7, 1931, in Walling, Tenn., the daughter of Foster B. and Lillian Novella Morgan Hutchings. She married Henry B. Ford and later married Joseph "Jay" Dowsett on Nov. 27, 1976, in Davenport.
In earlier years, Velma worked at Servus Rubber in Rock Island and the former Rimco Co., of Rock Island. She was last employed at Mary Moore Church Linens in Davenport before retiring.
Velma liked to camp and fish with her husband, Jay. She also loved her flower gardens and old country music. She will be remembered for her great cooking and, especially, her baking. Velma had a caring heart, which was evident by her love and passion for her family, friends and pets.
She is survived by her husband, Jay Dowsett, Silvis; daughters, Barbara Ford, Erie, and Theresa (Martin) Hancock, Princeton; stepchildren, Julie (Herb) Durnell, Colona, Gayle (Jim) Merrill, Mission, Texas, Kathy (Jim) Reynertson, New London, Wis., and John (Sally) Dowsett, Des Moines; brothers, Aubery (Velma) Hutchings, Smithville, Tenn., Douglas G. Hutchings, Moline; stepbrother, Paul (Louise) Tindell, Walling, Tenn.; 14 granchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents and two granchildren.