Velma LaVon Dawson, age 96, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Velma was born September 25, 1919, to Clarence E. and Rose M. Johns Dobson at Bristow, OK where she grew up.

On February 3, 1940, Velma married Olan Harold Dawson at Cushing, OK. They lived in Oklahoma for two years before moving to North Platte where they farmed south of town. During W.W.II Velma also volunteered at the North Platte Canteen.

Velma became a Nurses Aide and worked for Bethesda Care Center, Memorial Hospital and Great Plains Regional Medical Center then did private nursing care. She later worked at McDonald’s for 19 years before she retired at the age of 93.

Velma was a caring and loving woman and had a strong religious conviction.

She leaves behind her children, Twila Dawson and Oliver (Beverly) Dawson, all of North Platte, and Harold DeWayne (Pamela) Dawson, of Satellite Beach, FL; seven grandchildren, Anthony (Kathryn) Dawson, Troy (Heather) Dawson, Darren (Jennifer) Dawson, Donna Dawson, Richelle (Tom) Scott, Tim Dawson and Morgan Bailey; 16 great-grandchildren; a great great-granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Olan; parents, Clarence and Rose Dobson; three grandchildren, Billy Lee, Brian Paul and Richie Alan Dawson; a sister, Beatrice Stevens; and five brothers, Willard, Orval, Pete, Garland and Alfred Dobson.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church with her grandson, Pastor Anthony Dawson, officiating. Burial will be in the Miriam Cemetery southeast of North Platte.

Visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.