Velma Lou Almon Maynard, 93, passed away peacefully at her Signal Mountain, Tennessee, home on August 2, 2024, with her family by her side.
Lou was born on July 2, 1931, in Chattanooga, to Charles Pomeroy Almon, Jr. and Velma Malone Drisdale Almon. She grew up in Cleveland and Chattanooga, and Muscle Shoals, Al. Lou is survived by her children, Charles (Janice), Allison (Hamp), John (Rhea), Almon (Sarah), and Martha (David) and her two sisters, Sarah Almon Gomien and Mary Almon Pugh.
The fruits of a long life and 69 years of marriage to John Levi Maynard are her 16 living grandchildren: Caroline (Jamie), Anna (Chris), Lucy, Laura, Kelsie (Cory), Courtney (Charlie), Drew (Macy), Dawson, Reggie (Cheyenne), Paul, Greg, Alex, Stephanie, Doug (Evgeniya), Kelly, and Rebekah (Brandon). Joining Lou and John in heaven are beloved grandchildren, Roger and Jessica.
Lou took great pride and joy in her 22 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Maynard, brother Charles P. Almon, III, and sister Allison Almon Johnson.
Family and faith were important to Lou. As a mother of five and aunt of 22 (13 of whom lived within one block on Signal Mountain), she relished the constant activity and energy of her loved ones… sharing her faith quietly and by example.
Lou used her nurturing talents in many ways as founding director of Signal Crest UMC Daycare, teacher at Lone Oak Elementary in Sequatchie County, co-director of Buffalo Mountain Camp (1987-1993), and GED instructor.
Everyone who met Lou delighted in her humor-filled stories. For much of her life and even up until the week before she died, she visited the elderly and shut-ins, especially at Alexian Brothers. Lou was an active, longtime member of Signal Crest United Methodist Church. She was a staunch supporter of the Morgan-Scott Project and in her younger days journeyed to Bolivia on a short-term mission.
Lou enjoyed sports throughout her life but was particularly proud of participating in the Senior Olympics for which she received many medals locally, state-wide, and nationally.
The verse that best punctuates this end to a rich and faith-filled life: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
A memorial service will be held at Signal Crest United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 17th, 2024, at 1 PM. The family will receive friends immediately after.
In lieu of flowers, (or is that For Lou instead of flowers?), memorials may be sent to the Maynard Camp Scholarship Fund – Holston Conference c/o Holston Camp & Retreat, P.O. Box 850, Alcoa, TN 37701, the Morgan-Scott Project, 1022 Old Deer Lodge Pike, Deer Lodge, TN 37726, or to Signal Crest United Methodist Church, 1005 Ridgeway Avenue, Signal Mountain, TN 37377.
Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, www.LaneFH.com, 423 877-3524.