Velma Lee Hayter Shuler, (Grandma Shuler) of Walnut Grove, Missouri was born the youngest child of three to James (Jim) & Nellie Hayter.  Velma Lee was born in Eudora, Missouri on September 16, 1930 and passed away Friday night January 15, 2021 in her home in Walnut Grove surrounded by her children.  Velma Lee gave her life to Christ as a child at the Eudora Baptist Church.  She was an unashamed follower of Jesus Christ and as she took her final earthly breath, instantaneously she took her first celestial breath in Heaven.  After meeting Jesus face to face, she was reunited after 30 years with the love of her life, Levon (Papaw) Shuler.  She is completely healed and walking the streets of gold with all her family members that have been waiting for her.  She is more alive today than she has ever been!!!

Velma Lee Hayter, married Levon Shuler on June 19, 1947 and they shared 43 years of marriage.  In that 43 years of marriage, they had eight children that were the joy of their lives.  They were charter members of The Baptist Tabernacle and served together for many years.  After daddy's death Mom went to church at several different locations and finally found friends and a church home at The First Baptist Church in Walnut Grove.  She became a loyal member there and she loved her church family and senior class.

Velma Lee was a true Christian Role Model for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Not just what she taught in words, but a life lived with grace, integrity and honor both as a wife and as a mother.  She fiercely loved her family.  As the years passed and as she grew older, the filter began to fade.  If you didn't want her opinion, it was probably best that you did not ask, because she would give you the truth, like it or not.

Velma Lee worked at home for most of her life probably the hardest job anyone can ever have.  She was devoted in raising her eight children and working alongside with Levon on the farm.  After Levon passed so suddenly, she turned her life into caring for her grandkids.  She went to work for Walnut Grove Independent School District as the head cook in 1984.  She retired from that position in 1999.

She worked for Mays Mart for many years at night to help fill the emptiness of not having Daddy around.

Her spring time was filled with putting out an amazing garden.  She took so much pride in the produce that she could provide for her family.  She taught her children and grandchildren how to can and also garden.  This was something that was so hard for her to give up in the last few years.  She so loved her garden.

On September 19, 2020, the family gathered to celebrate Mom's 90 ^th Birthday at her home.  It was a beautiful warm day and we were all able to be outside.  All her children were able to attend, even Ricky by Facetime.  We lost Ricky 3 days later, and from that point on Mom began to fail daily.  It was like her focus became headed toward Heaven.

Mom was the happiest when she had every one of her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren in her home and she was cooking for all of them.  That number at Christmas time could be anywhere from 63 to 70 people.  She never tired of having them around nor of how the noise level would reach a peak of no return.  She loved the Rook games at Christmas time.  That was such a special time that she shared with her entire family. Plus she liked to win!!!

Velma Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Levon Shuler on December 9, 1990.  One Son, Ricky Dale Shuler on September 22, 2020.  Two Grandchildren, Emily Shuler and Derrick Shuler.  Her Father and Mother Jim & Nellie (Wilson) Hayter.  One Brother, L.S. Hayter and his wife Dorothy.  Father and Mother In-law, Kenneth & Marjorie (Wheeler) Shuler.  Five Brother In-laws, William, Jim, Bob and Howard Lee Shuler (Howard Lee she called her baby brother.  Howard was nine years old when Levon and Velma Lee married and she spent many hours playing and taking care of him. The loss of Howard on March 1, 2020 was something Mom just couldn't seem to get over.) And the Rev. Lon Killingsworth.

Two nieces, Valerie Killingsworth & Patsy Dye.

Velma Lee leaves 89 individuals to celebrate her amazing life:

One sister her best friend & traveling buddy, Maxine Killingsworth of Walnut Grove, Missouri.

Two Sisters-in-laws – Ellen Shuler Scobey of Bolivar, Missouri & Florence Shuler Babbitt of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Her Seven Children and spouses:

Linda Lavonne and husband Randy DeGraffenreid, of Pilot Point, Texas,  Judith Ann Jenkins of Preston, Missouri,  Shirley Jean and husband Cecil Bagley, of Ash Grove, Missouri,  Teresa Ann Shuler of Marshfield, Missouri,  Connie Sue and husband Rev. David Garrison of Springfield, Missouri,  Ronald Lee and wife Marla Shuler, of Billings, Missouri,  Tommy Rex and wife Kitsey Shuler of Walnut Grove, Missouri and Donald Ray and wife Connie Shuler, of Walnut Grove, Missouri.

Her 39 Grandchildren and spouses:

Rev. Bradley Wilkerson and wife Sarah of Prosper Texas,  Natalie Teague and husband Cory of Sanger Texas,  Elisha Collins and husband Kevin of Walnut Grove, Missouri,  Erica Linegar and husband Michael of Reed Springs, Missouri,  Erin Davis of Preston, Missouri,  Thomas Bagley and wife Eliza of Irving, Texas,  Brian Bagley and wife Taryn of Ash Grove, Missouri,  Melissa Williams and husband Scott of Aubrey, Texas,  Audrey Woods and husband Eric of Sanger, Texas,  Leslie Landwehr and husband Tim of Springfield, Missouri,  Jeffery Garrison and wife Michelle of Springfield, Missouri.  Nathan Shuler of Springfield, Missouri, Coy Burton of Clever, Missouri, Eryn Burton of Clever, Missouri,  Kayla Brooke Diefenbach and husband Casey of Sparta, Missouri,  Kayla Marie Scodino and husband John of Monroe City, Missouri,  Kameron Clarkson of Springfield, Missouri,  Megan Glouse and husband, Parker of Willard Missouri,  Hesston Shuler of Walnut Grove, Missouri,  Chelsea Shuler, Columbia, Missouri, Sarah Woods and husband Joshua of Everton, Missouri, Paige Wilkinson and husband Barry of Walnut Grove, Missouri and Justin Tittle and wife Bracey of Troy, Tennessee

Her 40 Great Grandchildren:

Haley & Ryder Wilkerson

Scarlett Teague

Austin & Katie Collins

Ethan & Elliott Linegar

Blake Davis

Reagan Bagley

Whitley, Jackson, Briley & Renley Bagley

Shuler Williams

Troy, Charlie & Whitten Landwehr

Faith, Savannah, Landree, Katriel, Arwen. Cosette, Quin, Ireland, Niamh Garrison

Maci Jo Burton

Bradlee & Brookelynn Diefenbach

McKenna, Joey, and Jonathan Scodino

Koa Furrow

Hudson Glouse

Jeffery, Maddie & Evan Wilkinson

Naomi Tittle

Stevie Woods

Baby on the way – Travis Ricky Woods due in February

Many Nieces & Nephews, Friends and Neighbors that she loved and held such a special place in her heart.

A very special thank you to Marty, Tena, Gene & Lynn Harman, for being family to our Mom.  You were there for her when we couldn't be.  She trusted and loved you so much.  She always knew that you had her best interest at heart.  Thank you for loving her.

And Oscar the Cat.