Velma Gilder, 99, of Coleman, died Monday, February 29, 2016 at Coleman County Medical Center. Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 400 West Pecan Street, Coleman. Burial will be in the Coleman City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
She was born Velma Ray Holland on December 12, 1916 in Bell County to John Thomas Holland and Fannie Lynch Holland. She grew up in Bell County and attended school there. She married Samuel Eugene Gilder in 1935. During World War II, she worked along with 350,000 American Women as “Rosie the Riveter.” Mrs. Gilder was a member of First United Methodist Church. Having a great sense of humor, she was a very “Jolly Granny,” loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. She enjoyed going to garage sales and playing Bingo.
Survivors include one son, Larry Gilder of Tolar; one daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Johnny Neal of Coleman; 14 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren.
Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death her loving husband of 60 years, Samuel Eugene Gilder in 1997; four brothers and four sisters; daughter, Coleen Donica in 2002; great grandchildren, Rowdy Nicole Fikes in 2003 and Mary Beth Neal in 1988; daughter-in-law, Patsy Gilder in 2010 and son-in-law, Ronnie Donica in 2015.
Condolences for the family may be left online at www.livingmemorials.com.
