Velma Thorne

Velma Marie (McPherson) Thorne, 78 of Mills, Wyo. passed away Friday, July 15, 2011 in Weston County, Wyo. Our loving mother, Grandmother and friend to all, went home to live with her Lord and savior. Velma and her twin sister Viola were born on February 23, 1933 to Edward Sweeney and Rozella May (Young) McPherson. They were welcomed into this world by older brothers Donald and Arthur McPherson. They had another brother, Walter Russell McPherson who died at a very young age. Velma always bragged that she was 15 minutes older than her twin sister Viola. She said that she learned a lot in those 15 minutes. Viola and Velma started singing together at a very young age. A sweeter harmony you've never heard. Whether singing praise to the Lord, or singing the Hawaiian War Chant, it was a thing of beauty. In their younger years they lived in Belle Fourche, So. Dakota, Hulett, Wy, Miles City, Montana, Three T Ranch, west of Kaycee, Wyoming and Upton, Wyoming, from middle school through high school. While in Upton, Velma met the love of her life, Sherman Thorne. The were later married June 12, 1951 in a double wedding ceremony with her twin sister Viola. Sherman and Velma had four children, Donald Eugene, Fern Marie, William Joe and Robert Sherman. Velma was very active in the Church and especially the church choirs. She never lost her joy for singing and praising the Lord When they made their home in Casper, she and Sherman joined the Baptist Church. They made their way from the Mills Baptist to the Bethel Baptist Church, and there they found a home. Velma sang in the Bethel Baptist Church choir for several years. Velma sold Avon for around 30 plus years in the Casper area. She was in the Presidents Club with the Avon Corporation. I really think she used her job with Avon to check in on her many friends she had made throughout the years to see if they were alright or if they just needed someone to talk to over a cup of coffee. Velma and Sherman loved to hunt, fish and go camping. But, most of all she loved to spend time with her close friends, her children and her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be missed all who knew her. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, July 25, 2011 at the Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Helen Schindler officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Casper, Wyoming