Betty Jane Vera Velat

Lansing, Michigan

Age 83, passed away December 6, 2015. Betty Jane was born November 21, 1932, in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of the late Robert and Florence (Hucke) Pickens.  She retired from Cornell Elementary School in Okemos as Kitchen Supervisor.  Betty Jane volunteered for Lutheran Social Services in Ohio for 10 years followed by 40+ years of service with Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.  She was a former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and was currently a member of Christ The King Anglican Church, and Work of Christ Community.

Survivors include her 4 children, Coleen Rene (Tim) Shireman, William (Kelly) Velat, Roxanne (Craig) Vaughn, and Jennifer Smith; 11 grandchildren, Garrett (Gina), Mariah (Shawn), Audrey, Tess, Scout, Piper, Frank (Jamie), Robert (Allison), Natalie (Michael), Joel (Shanice), and Philip (Marlene); 12 great-grandchildren, Corbin, Cindel, Colin, Eliza, Douglas, Bella, Derrick, Robert Jr., Katelyn, Kole, Kaleb, and Theodore; 1 brother, Harold Pickens; along with numerous extended family and friends.

Betty Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Frank Velat; brothers, Earl, Ralph, and Carl Pickens; sister, Roberta Crisp; son-in-law, Randy Smith; and friends, Marilyn Mook and Marilyn Forbes.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Christ The King Anglican Church, 1161 E. Clark Rd., Suite #230, DeWitt, Michigan, with Fr. Joseph Mlaker officiating.  Interment will follow at Gunnisonville Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and again on Thursday at the Church for one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Mother Teresa House, Christ The King Church, or St. Paul Lutheran Church Mission House Mortgage Fund.

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