Velma Myrtle Toms Nevers

Velma Myrtle Toms Nevers, age 89, of Jefferson City, died peacefully on Friday, August 19, 2016, in her home surrounded by her beloved family. Born on December 16, 1926 in Knoxford, New Brunswick, Canada, Velma was the second of three daughters born to parents Harry and Carrie Toms. After graduating from Emmanuel Bible College in New Brunswick, Velma married Donald Nevers and together they lived a life dedicated to God. They served many years as missionaries in Cuba, founding churches in the towns of Cabezas and Nueva Paz. Forced out of Cuba in 1960, they resettled in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida area, maintaining a lifelong connection to the ministry in Cuba. They helped fund several church-building projects including ones in the towns of Nueva Paz, La Reglita, Los Palos and Madruga. Their missionary work in the Caribbean also included stops in Jamaica, Mexico and The Bahamas. Donald and Velma were both ordained ministers of the Assemblies of God. Velma was passionate about her faith and raised her children with the same zeal. Velma was honored in 1992 as a Salvation Army Silver Star Mother by General Eva Burrows in Atlanta, Georgia. After retiring to Lake City, Florida, Velma and Donald were members of the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church where she shared her many musical and teaching talents. She attended Southridge Baptist Church of Jefferson City. She is survived by her four children: David Nevers (Nora), Carmen Claypool (Forrest), Brent Nevers (Elizabeth), Alicia Nunez Fornell (Jose), and 29 grandchildren and great-grand- children. Velma was preceded in death by Donald Watson Nevers, her husband of 57 years. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Lake City, Florida, with Pastor Lowell Van Vleck officiating. Visitation immediately following service.