Velma Louise Drum passed away peacefully on January 10, 2020 at her home in Akron, Colorado after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.  She was 86.

Velma was born in Akron, CO on March 3, 1933 to parents Edmond J. and Vesta (Bailey) Burke.  Shortly after her birth, the family moved to New Castle, WY, returning to Akron in 1935.  Velma attended school in Akron graduating from high school in 1951.  After graduation, she married Roy E. Davisson.  One son, Danny, was born to this union.  In 1970, Velma married Earl Drum.

Velma worked several jobs in Akron.  She was a waitress in the Norka restaurant, a cashier in Wash Bros Grocery, and worked in the Washington County Courthouse.  But, without a doubt, her favorite job was exercise rider, jockey, and race horse trainer.  She loved all animals, but especially horses and cats.  A plaque she kept in her room reads, "If there are no horses in Heaven, I don't want to go there."  Every morning she would put out food and water for the neighborhood cats.  She was an avid golfer and bowler, participating in many golf tournaments and bowling leagues and national bowling tournaments.  She enjoyed having lunch daily with her best friend Pearl Gasser. She was also known for her quilting, and shared her beautiful quilts with her family.  She was a wonderful mother and sister!  Often times more of a mother to her brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews, than a sister and aunt.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Merle R. Gray; husband Earl Drum; brothers James William Burke, Gene Clifton Burke, Harold Edmund Burke, and Ronald Gray.  She is survived by her son Danny and wife Denise of Akron; brothers Darrel Gray and wife Ann of San Diego, CA, Roger Gray and wife Connie of Akron, and Richard Gray and wife Jackie of Peyton, CO; sisters Reva (Gray) Runyan of Casa Grande, AZ and Rita (Gray) Elmore) of Littleton, CO; grandchildren John Hart of Denver, CO and Susan (Hart) Metzler and husband Jeremy of Greeley, CO; one great-grandson Mason; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

A funeral service will be held Friday, January 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron.  Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to the Boy and Girls Clubs of Colorado.