Velda Raye, age 87, was born on February 29, 1929 in Independence County to George Alvin and Lucy Prince Perrin, and left this life on December 21, 2016.  On January 31, 1948, Velda Raye and Webster Conway Goff were united in marriage in Craighead County.  She also graduated from Strawberry High School in 1948.  Velda Raye was an LPN working in Lawrence, Sharp and Independence Counties during her 31 years.   After retiring, she continued taking nursing courses.  She received approximately 200 hours of courses.

Velda Raye was a gifted gardener and an avid reader.  Many friends and family were the recipients of her generosity.  She was loved by many and was an exceedingly great source of comfort and wisdom to all those who were blessed by her presence.

Velda Raye was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Lucy Perrin (Saffell, AR); her husband of 58 years, Webster, who passed away in 2006; her brother, Roscoe Perrin (Saffell, AR); and five sisters, Bertha Brown (Batesville, AR), Virgia Pinkston (Bryant, AR), Zilla Wade (Washington), Thelma Boatenhammer (Lakeland, FL), and Malderine Jackson (Little Rock, AR).

Velda Raye is survived by two sons:  Rickey (Virginia) Goff and Charles (Nedra) Goff, both of Smithville.  Three grandchildren:  Kevin Goff, Keith (Tina) Goff, and Angela (Clent) Burrow.  Four great grandchildren:  David Burrow, Breanna Burrow, Samuel Goff, and Ava Goff.

Visitation will be Monday, December 26, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Smithville United Methodist Church.  Services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Smithville United Methodist Church with Bro. Bob McMillon officiating.  Burial will be at Smithville Cemetery in Smithville under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.

Pallbearers:  Keith Goff, Clent Burrow, David Burrow, Bill Jackson, Gary Goff, and Cecil Balentine

Honorary Pallbearers:  Kevin Goff, Samuel Goff, Parker Morgan, Charles Pinkston, Jim Boatenhammer,  Larry Bonner