Velda Tedford

BURLESON -- Velda Lee Gibbons Tedford, 91, was born May 11, 1921 to John Robert and Lela Frank Gibbons in Valley Mills, Texas. From age five until graduation, she lived in Walnut Springs. She moved to Fort Worth with a scholarship to Brantley Draughn Business College. Upon graduation, she worked in Washington, D.C. starting in 1941 with the civil service department until November, 1942, when she transferred to the Fort Worth office. Velda quit work when she married her true love, Clarence "Ted" Tedford on December 20, 1947. They were married 55 years. Velda returned to the workforce from 1973 to 1988 for the Burleson area H&R Block.

Velda started her Christian life when she was saved in August, 1930, at the age of seven. Among the churches she attended, were Oak Grove Baptist Church from 1959 to 1983, and First Baptist Church, Mansfield, in 1983 until entering heaven May 9, 2013.        Service: 2 p.m., Tuesday at Blessing Funeral Home, Mansfield. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m., Monday at the funeral home.        Velda was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clarence Alton "Ted" Tedford, her mother, Lela Gibbons and by two sisters, Eleanor Eichelburger and Frances Nelson.        Survivors: Son, Curtis Tedford and his wife, Carol; daughter, Susanne Mann; grandchildren, Clarissa and Christopher Tedford; and numerous other loving family and friends.