Velma Gladys Drew, age 91, went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2011. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Clarissa (Stanton) Pratt; a brother, Clarence Pratt; her sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Ira Davis.

She is survived by her daughter, Vanda Schneider of Muskegon, her son, Lyle (Barbara) Drew of West Bloomfield, and her daughter, Kay Barnes of Grand Rapids; four grandchildren, Troy (Chasity) Barnes, Lyle “Eric” Drew, Aaron (Jamie) Simpson, and D’Lynn (Jeremy) Wendt; and four great grandchildren, Andrew and Riley Simpson and Caitlyn and Sara Drew.

Velma Retired from Fisher Body in Lansing in December of 1979 after 30 years of employment.

She loved her family and was devoted to them - and her nieces, Joyce Street and Jean (Bill) Bagley and their children also. She loved to travel and just to be on the go with her friends. She loved to laugh and had a wonderful sense of humor.

She came to know the Lord later in her life and was happy when she was able to attend church and worship God.

She was a very generous woman and on Thanksgiving Day her daughter, Vanda, asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She said, “A million dollars.” When asked what would you do with a million dollars, she replied, “I would help people who needed it.” That was Velma Drew, generous, caring, and loving.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2011, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Wesley Smith officiating. Interment will follow in New Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday beginning at 11a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to either the American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice.