Velma Grace Horner Allred, a remarkable woman, eternal companion to Charles McKay Allred, beloved mother and artist, passed away peacefully at her home in Broomfield, CO on Thursday February 27, 2014 from causes incident to age. Funeral services will be held March 8th at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Boulder Stake Center, 701 W. South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO. Velma was born November 29, 1927 in Sandpoint, ID to Leigh Aitchison Horner and Alice Mariette Robinson. She grew up in Sandpoint, ID, with her 3 brothers and sister, Donald, Robert, Eugene, and Shirley; all have predeceased Velma. She learned the virtues of hard work but also the value of having fun in the outdoors and learning to play the violin. She developed close friends while in school and had good academic habits.
In her 18th year she enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1949. After graduating from BYU she married Charles McKay Allred on June 26th, 1950 in the Manti, Utah Temple. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage and raising 7 children. She gave birth to 2 sons, Daryl and Kevin (1951 -1952) in Arlington Virginia . They moved to Boulder, CO in 1954 as a part of McKay's employment with the National Bureau of Standards. And they began to build their own home east of Boulder.
In 1955 her third son, Brent was born. Living conditions were initially "primitive" while they were building their home. Their first girl, KayLyn, was born in 1958. Their 2nd daughter Jeanine was born in premature in 1960 and lived less than one day. In 1963 they adopted a boy, Layne and in 1964 they adopted a girl, Valene. Dee Baxter joined the family as a foster student where he spent 4 years with them during his high school years.
Velma naturally possessed the virtue of service. It was second nature for her to reach out and help others. She wanted no credit or recognition for the many kind and caring deeds that filled her life. Others responded to her genuine caring nature and were endeared to her for life.
Velma was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and willingly accepted assignments that regularly came her way and did those tasks with dedication and energy. She expected her children to respond to calls of service as she set the example. She was highly involved in genealogy work, including the name extraction program, both English and Spanish. She has cataloged tens of thousands of names over the last 40 years! She and McKay served a proselyting mission to Jackson, Mississippi from 1987-1989.
She renewed her love of painting in the 70's and found time to devote to painting and studying further with local and nationally known artists. Her work was in rotation in galleries around Colorado. "Appreciation for the beautiful world we live in is the inspiration for my paintings, and I try to covey that love to others". Her love of the Rocky Mountain West was the inspiration for her well-known mountain or pastoral landscapes. She also adapts her style of classic romantic realism in oils and pastels to other subjects, such as wildlife and still life. Velma has received many awards in competitions and has been honored in numerous one-person shows. Her work resides in private collections throughout the world.
She insisted that each of her children learn a musical instrument and expected each child to learn the piano well enough to play church hymns. She was a devoted wife and mother. Innumerable trips were made to athletic, dance, or music events. She volunteered for school service as a parent and simply lived a life focused on doing what needed to be done to raise her children. She was never as happy as when surrounded by her children, 27 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
Velma is survived by the following children and spouses, Daryl (Sylvia); Kevin (Debbie); Brent (Terri); Dee & Shirley Baxter, KayLyn (John) Christensen; Layne (Kristen); and Valene (Darin) Durfey. She has 25 living grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband McKay Allred, daughter Jeanine, and grandson Parker Allred. Funeral services will be held March 8th at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Boulder Stake Center, 701 W. South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO. For more obituary information or posting of condolences, or memories, go to www.cristmortuary.com
Arrangements under the direction of Crist Mortuary, Boulder, CO.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 8, 2014
Bernie and I loved Velma and McKay and their family.....our children grew up with their children when we lived in Boulder. I have one of her beautiful paintings of the mountains near Boulder...I believe Longs Peak..I will always cherish my association with Velma and McKay and hope they are now renewing friendship with my dear Bernie who passed away Oct 13th 2008. I know they are in a beautiful place, teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hope to join them soon. I send my love to the Allred family.
March 6, 2014
Sandra Udy
The wonderful results of Velma and McKay's caring and talents are evident in their family today. May God bless you all with happy memories.
Sandra Udy
March 6, 2014
JG
With deepest sympathy to the family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
March 4, 2014
Ann Evans
Dear Allred Family--I have a beautiful painting that your mom did for me hanging over my bed, so I think of your parents daily. I have many happy, wonderful memories of times spent at your home and of the support and love your parents extended to me. I will be forever grateful for the unconditional love that I received from them and from all of you. They were such great examples and touched my life profoundly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and my love goes out to you all.
March 3, 2014
Eric Royer
We were so glad that we had the chance to go and visit with her last summer.
Eric and Beverly Allred Royer
March 3, 2014
Kenyon Hart
Janene and I will always remember visiting with Velma and McKay when we lived in Longmont, Colorado for a few weeks many years ago.
Velma just seemed to be a very nice person and she displayed a great knowledge of the Allred family, which impressed me.
Kenyon Hart(Pocatello, Idaho)
March 3, 2014
Miriam Roberts
The Forrest Allred family has many happy memories of times spent with Uncle McKay and Aunt Velma and their family. Velma was always a gracious and generous (and patient!) hostess to our large family. I'm happy McKay and Velma were not separated long as a couple and are back together again, enjoying each other and associating with loved ones who went before. All my love to their children and grandchildren.
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