Velna "Mamaw" Calhoun

"God made a wonderful mother, a mother who never grows old. He made her smile of the sunshine and He molded her heart of pure gold. In her eyes, He placed bright shining stars. On her cheeks, fair roses you see. God made a wonderful mother and He gave that mother to us."

Velna "Mamaw" Calhoun, 82, of Kingsport died at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after an extended illness.

She was born in Sullivan County where she lived all of her life. Velna was a homemaker and a Baptist.

Preceding her in death were her husband, George Calhoun; a son, Terry Calhoun; two infant daughters; her mother and stepfather, Ruby and Walter Williams; her father and stepmother, Howard and Mary Hobbs; and her brother, Ned Williams.

Surviving are six daughters and sons-in-law, Carlos and Ken Gentry, Freda and Jim Castle, Nora and David Bowman, Rena and Steven Tomlinson, Myrtle and Jerry Griffin, Lisa and Phil Whittemore; six sons and daughters-in-law, George and Barbara Calhoun, Rick Calhoun, Mike and Michelle Calhoun, Fred Calhoun, Mark and Nikki Calhoun, Gary and Peggy Calhoun; twenty-six grandchildren; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport or any time at the home.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Phil Whittemore officiating. Burial will follow at Calhoun Family Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.