Velma Eileen Ferguson Millsap
Velma Eileen Ferguson Millsap, 96, died in Highlands Healthcare & Rehab in Bella
Vista, Ark., on Sept. 21,
2017. She was born
Aug. 15,
1921, in
Habber- ton, Ark., to James Westwood and Ella Irene Stone Ferguson, pioneer families of Washington County.
She was a member of the Church of Christ and attended the Hickory Flat School.
She married Harold Jacob Millsap, May 7, 1938, in Springdale. He preceded her in death in 1971.
She was a loving daughter, wife and mother, an accomplished seamstress, a great cook and homemaker. She was employed at Levis Strauss, Campbell Bell Dept. Store and the Phi Beta Phi House. She was a tireless worker with her husband on their poultry farm, being among the first families in the area to raise turkeys. In 1972 she began a career with the Washington County Sheriff’s department, retiring in 1987. She was always ready for a trip to Branson, looked forward to the Rodeo of the Ozarks, and shared a love of singing with her two sisters, Vera and Ruby, in earlier years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, two sisters, one grandson and two great-grandchildren.
Survivors are two sons, Harold Dean Millsap and wife Pat of Willis, Texas, and James Arthur Millsap and wife Tracy of Huntsville; one daughter, Phyllis E. Boyd and husband Bob of Bella Vista; one brother, Lyman A. Ferguson and wife Sharon of Springdale; nine grandchildren (including Keshia Guyll of Pea Ridge); 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to all the compassionate caregivers at Highlands Healthcare and The Circle of Life Hospice for the care and concern shown to our mother and grandmother on this long journey home.
Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale.
Graveside services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Sons Chapel Cemetery, with minister Randal Caselman of the Bella Vista Church of Christ officiating.
Pallbearers were Lance Millsap, Jason Millsap, Doc Millsap, Brad Millsap, Conner Boyd and Bob Boyd. Honorary pallbearers were Barbara Patterson, Sherri Howell, Candy Ahrents, Paul Ray, Tommy Ferguson, Bryan Millsap and Gary Wayne Millsap.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762.
Arrangements were by Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, Ark.