Velda F. Atha, age 85, passed away on May 6, 2013, in her home after a long fight with cancer. She was born August 21, 1927, in Guilford, MO, the daughter of Charlie and May Skidmore. She was a life-long resident of Missouri and has resided the last 36 years in Springfield, MO. Sixty six years ago, on September 7, 1946, she was united in marriage to Charles S. Atha, Jr. Velda graduated from Guilford High School in 1945, then graduated from Platt-Gards Business College in 1946 with a business degree. She began her banking career in 1946 at the Missouri Valley Trust Co. and retired as manager of the East Hills branch of the Belt National Bank in St. Joseph, MO. She was a member and officer of Eastern Star Lodge and a Buchanan County Democrat Committeeman. She is preceded in death by her parents and three infant children; Gloria June, Roxanne and Dennis. She is survived by her beloved husband Charles S. Atha, Jr., her son; Richard Atha and wife Sue of Garden City, KS, her three grandchildren; Kelley Porter and husband Ben of Lee’s Summit, MO, Kyle Atha and wife Shelley of Lee’s Summit, MO and Joey Gander and husband Jerry of Overland Park, KS., and five great-grandchildren; Gabriel Porter, Claire Porter, Troy Atha, Ronan Gander and Eamon Gander, she is also survived by her brother Charlie Skidmore, Jr. and his wife Pat of St. Joseph, MO., and one niece and three nephews. Funeral services will be on Friday, May, 10, 2013, at 12:30 p.m., in Parkcrest Baptist Church with burial following in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 9, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home South. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made to Parkcrest Baptist Church.