Coeburn, Virginia                                                       March 28, 2024

Velma Elaine Smith Salyers, 79, passed away Sunday March 24, 2024.

Born and raised in Coeburn, Virginia, Velma wore many hats throughout the years. She truly was a people person.

She began her work career in 1962 at Eastern Gas / Ashland Oil, Norton, Virginia. In 1968 she started work at The Wise County National Bank in Norton as Executive Secretary / Administrative Assistant to the President, became a loan interviewer, Personnel Director and retired in 1992 as a credit card officer working out of Oak Ridge, Tennessee for Bank of America.

She was a Past President of the Bank Women's Club of Southwest Virginia (Counties of Wise, Lee, Scott, Dickenson, and City of Norton) and Past Co-Chairman of American Institute of Banking, Appalachia / Big Stone Gap.

Chairman of Virginia Employment Commission Advisory Board and member of the J I Burton Business Advisory Board. Past President and Board member of the Wise County Women's Bowling Association and Past Vice Grand of Pocahontas Rebekah Lodge #24. She was an avidly ferocious Tennessee Volunteer football fan with season tickets for many years. Her first trip to Hawaii was to watch those beloved Volunteers play.

She began selling Park Lane Jewelry in the late 1980's and believed that was her calling in life along with her high heels for every outfit.

Suffering a severe stroke in 2006 she still led a full life, bowling and spending half of the year in Sebring, FL.

She was preceded in death by her parents Everett H Smith and Lillie V Skeen Smith, twin brother Samuel Smith, brother Ronald L Smith and sister-in-law's Carol A Zoellner Smith and V Aline McCoy Smith.

Survived by daughter E Nicole Salyers Spradlin and husband Clay L Spradlin, Coeburn, Va. Grandsons Brian L (Natalie) Spradlin, Ashland, Ky., Maxwell S (Haley) Spradlin and great-granddaughter Freya Lillianne, Charleston, WV. Sister, Nila G Jenkins Boggs (Michael), Kingsport, TN and brother Larry W Smith, Seagrove, NC and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Heritage Hall Wise for the wonderful love and care she received and their support.

A Family memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Church of the Living God International Ministries, 14028 Sandy Ridge Road, Coeburn, Va. 24230. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to sign guest register book online. Sturgill Funeral Homes 310 6th Street NW Coeburn, Virginia 24230 in charge of arrangements.