Velma Maxine Hendrix

Velma Maxine Hendrix, 87, of Paragould, passed from this life on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born in Marmaduke on June 4, 1934, to the late Johnnie and Edith (Melton) Smith. She was of Pentecostal belief and a member of the First Church of God in Paragould. Velma worked as a dietary cook at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center for over 20 years. She raised three children, helped at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through donations, and donated to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Velma accepted Christ as her Savior in 1962. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Marion (Fat) Hendrix; son, Daren Coward; and sisters, Wandle West, Dorothy Kappleman, and Wilma Jean Garza.

Survivors include her son, Ron Coward of Paragould; daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and Ken Wilson of St. Charles, Missouri; grandchildren, Mike (Tamekia Smith) Hersman, Chris Coward, and Kirk (Latoya) Coward; brothers, Hollis Smith of Easley, South Carolina, and Doyle Smith of Terre Haute, Indiana; and sisters-in-law, Nancy and Elaine Smith.

Family and friends will meet for a graveside funeral on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 10am at Harvey's Chapel Cemetery in Marmaduke with Rev. Kevin Edgar officiating.