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Velma O. Hogg
Miss Velma O. Hogg was called home to be with her Savior Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. She rejoins her husband of 54 years, Rudolph Hogg, who preceded her in death on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000.
Velma was born March 16, 1930 to Lena and Jim Holloway outside of Cade, OK in a place she referred to as Boggy Bottom. She was the fifth of nine children, and helped picked cotton and take care of her younger siblings during the Great Depression.
She married Rudolph W. Hogg in October of 1946. He was fresh out of the Army-Air Force and they settled down in Vernon, TX to start a family. James Tilden was born in 1947, followed by Rudolph Leland in 1949, Larna June in 1952 and Joni Kay in 1961. Work and life led them from Texas to California, and, finally to Arizona. They first lived in Morenci, then, moved to Mammoth in the early 1950’s where Rudy took a job for the Sheriff’s department. Then, in 1967, they moved to San Manuel, where they lived for the remainder of their lives.
Velma was a homemaker that could sew beautifully and was not only famous for her handmade Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls and quilts, but, her homemade cakes, fried chicken and salsa, as well. She worked at a drugstore and canning factory in the 50s, and for the elementary schools in San Manuel during the late 70s and early 80s. She never met a stranger and often baked cakes or fried chicken for family, friends and sometimes families she hardly knew that had lost a loved one.
Velma was a devout Baptist and was steadfast in her faith. She prayed for everyone that touched her life. She helped raise most of her grandchildren and even helped with her great-grandchildren. She loved children and never hesitated to babysit or take a moment to rock one to sleep. She instilled, in her children and grandchildren, the importance of family, staying in touch and being neighborly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudy, and her oldest son, James “Butch”. She is survived by her brother, James Holloway of Waverly, VA; son, Leland (Karen) Hogg of San Manuel; daughters, Larna (Wiley) Warren of Kearny and Joni Kay (John) Hudson of Aitkin, MN; nine grandchildren; 17.5 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. at Vistoso Funeral Home, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. in Oro Valley.
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