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Verla Dean Hallmark, 79

Verla Dean Hallmark, 79, began this life Dec. 8, 1932, at Dighton, Kan., to parents Lloyd Ralph and Amanda Louise Davidson Ellis.

She departed this life March 4, 2012, at her home in Ava, Mo., at Red Bud Village.

Verla was the ultimate mother showing genuine concern for her family. Her family enjoyed her cooking, especially her dumplings or bread. When they traveled she could stop at the side of the road and prepare a meal in a short time from almost nothing. She was a very versatile lady who was able to pack up the family and move on very short notice. The family moved frequently, living in several states in the United States. She was very careful to teach her children good manners. She loved to take pictures of the family and they spent a lot of time “seeing stars from flashes.”

She was known as “Cupie Doll” for much of her childhood due to her cute dimples. Her family has said that it is a miracle she kept all the children alive since they seemed to have the ability to try to kill each other frequently in many ways as children are prone to do.

She had worked at Emerson for several years. She enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together, sewing and doing crafts.

Since moving into Red Bud Village she made many close friends. Their community events, like the dinners, were special to her. She loved growing vegetables to share with other residents. She was especially known for her extra long Japanese cucumbers.

Conversations with her children included frequent references to the Red Bud events and people. At long last, Verla felt that she had settled down and truly found a home with family and friends at Red Bud; her days of moving frequently were a thing of her past.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leslie Eugene; one sister; one brother; and three stepbrothers.

Verla is survived by three sons, Michael L. Hammon, Harvey J. Hallmark, and Leslie E. Hallmark, as well as three daughters, Lesley A. Latham, Lorrie D. Hallmark and Rebecca S. Hallmark. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters; and one stepbrother. She will be greatly missed by a host of other relatives and friends as well as her “Red Bud family.”

Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, March 17, at 10 a.m., in the Ava Family Funeral Home Chapel. All arrangements are under the care and direction of Ava Family Funeral Home.

To send online condolences visit www.Facebook.com/AvaFamilyFuneralHome.com.