Velma Jane (Langdon) Loftis

Velma Jane (Langdon) Loftis, 92, of Battle Creek, peacefully made the journey home on August 30, 2021 while in the care of Glenn Arbor Hospice, with family by her side.

She was born on a snowy May 2, 1929, to Fleet and Millie (Troy) Langdon, at their home in Leonidas, Michigan, the second of four children, and only girl. When she was ten years old, the family moved to Athens, Michigan. She graduated in 1947 from Athens High School. Soon after, she began her first job at the basket factory in Athens. In 1952, she moved on to a new job at the United Register Company, in Battle Creek, Michigan, where she would meet her future husband in the summer of 1953, after he came home from active duty.

Velma married William "Carlton" Loftis on December 27, 1953, at the First Congregational Church, Athens, Michigan. Many times, she and "Carlton" would laugh about how the guys were listening to the Lions vs Browns game before their wedding began, and little did they know it was the last time the Lions would ever win a Championship.

Velma would also chuckle about the time when she was the only little kid at the school in Leonidas, so when the bigger kids put on a production of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", she was immediately chosen to play the part of Tiny Tim, based on size, not so much talent. Although, while in high school in Athens, she enjoyed being a part of the Glee Club. Once married, she and "Carlton" enjoyed playing cards with friends, and traveled often, along with several spontaneous close to home trips to Detroit, after work on Fridays, to see their Tigers play. As anyone can imagine, there were many more fun memories made and shared throughout her 92 years.

After spending the 70's and most of the 80's raising their two girls, being a homemaker, Velma went back to work as the church secretary for Family Altar Chapel, in 1985. As a member of the choir at FAC, she enjoyed singing on Sunday mornings, and performing in Christmas Cantatas. She retired in 1992, and she and "Carlton" became snowbirds, who spent their winters in Inverness, Florida. In her spare time, Velma loved to read. If she wasn't reading, you could find her working on her embroidery, and later, word puzzles.

Along with her husband, of 67 years, William "Carlton", Velma is survived by her daughters, Carla (Haig) Black and Caralyn Barton; grandchildren, Christopher Barton, Cassandra Barton, Genna Mae Barton, Samuel Barton, Kaitlin (Sean) Keck, and Jared Black; and one great-grandchild, Makayla Rae. Also, her brother, Jack (Jean) Langdon of NC; many nieces and nephews; as well as her two "extra daughters", Ellen Hickman of Lenexa, KS and Karen Secord, of Battle Creek, MI.. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Harry and Stanford Langdon, and son-in-law Clifton Barton.

The family will receive friends 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 7th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where services to celebrate Velma's life will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday with her grand-nephew, Noah Miller, officiating. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/595884184. Interment will follow at Leonidas Cemetery. Memorials may directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Velma may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.