Velma Evanna (Bryan) Allison

Velma Evanna Allison, nee Bryan, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023 at the Victorian Place in Cuba at the age of 103 years and 11 days. She was born February 1, 1920 in Scotia, Missouri to Lola Pearl Walker-Bryan.

She grew up in Leasburg area and was the eldest of several siblings. Velma helped her mother raise them and considered them her babies also. She later went to work at the ammunitions factory in St. Louis where bombs were made during the war. A few years later she was employed at McDonnell Douglas retiring after several years. During her time in the early years of St. Louis, she and her Aunt Annie would occasionally go to the Fox Theatre which she loved seeing the shows, and dressing up to the “nines.” Velma loved culture, but also loved her small town and country roots.

On April 6, 1945, she was united in marriage to Otis Allison for fifty-two years until he passed in 1998. In their early years of marriage, while Otis was in the Army, she went with him during his time at Camp Pendleton in California which was an adventure for her. She was able to work on base during that time also. After Otis was honorably discharged from the Army they returned to St. Louis and lived in the St. John’s area for many years. In the late 1950’s, they bought a farm next to her brother Windell and would go out most every weekend until Velma retired. After retirement, she and Otis enjoyed their farm. Velma loved her home they had built on their property and kept it meticulous. She always put out a huge vegetable garden and would can and freeze so much of their bounty. She was a very frugal person and kept everything in perfect order.

Velma and Otis loved the different Boston Terrier dogs they had throughout the years. They were their babies and well taken care of.

After the passing of her husband, Velma found that she was still a very independent woman and probably ahead of her time all during her life. She loved telling stories from her past to her family members, quilting and embroidering. Most of all she loved hearing stories about the family and all of the children.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Lola Bryan; her husband Otis Allison; siblings, Jewel Bryan, Jim Bryan, Thomas (Shirley) Bryan, Lindell (Ina) Bouse, Charles Bryan, Mary Katherine (Don) Low, Anna Lois Gerling, Wanda (Parker) Ray and Windell (Betty) Bryan; and brother-in-law, Bud Sappington.

She is survived by her last living sibling, Norma Sappington of St. Charles, MO; sisters and brother-in-law, Shirlene Bryan of St. Louis, MO, Fairy Bryan of Sullivan, MO, Mary Ann Bryan of St. Charles, MO and Larry Gerling of Villa Ridge, MO; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews; other relatives; and friends.

The Family received friends from 11:00 a.m. until time of service on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023 with Rev. Wendy Downing officiating. Special music of "Amazing Grace" and "In the Garden" was played.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery, Leasburg, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Mike Bryan, Terry Bryan, Jerry Bryan, Kevin Bryan, Lee Eikerman and Kent Sappington.

The Allison Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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