Velvie Rector Ketcham

Velvie Rector Ketcham, 84, died Monday, June 29, 2015 at Hinkle Hospice House after a period of declining health. A service of remembrance will be Thursday, July 2ND at 2 p.m. Davidson Funeral Home Chapel in Lexington. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Velvie was Born April 5, 1931 on Mt. Mitchell in Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Blite and Bertha Rector. She had a special fondness for the mountains, and she loved nature. She was an avid sports fan. In high school, she was a standout basketball player, and during her youth she played basketball and softball. She enjoyed following the Duke University Blue Devils basketball team every year. She was a member of Beulah United Church of Christ in Welcome. Velvie was a wonderful cook and caretaker for her family and her home. She played an integral role in the family business. She maintained a strong faith and a positive attitude, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will dearly miss her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Hugh Rector, and three sisters, Elsie McDaniels, Cartha Gaye and Ruth Anderson. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Herbert “Sam” Ketcham of the home; two daughters, Karen Miller and husband Donald of Hickory and Sherry Piotti and husband Bill of Lexington; two sons, Scott Ketcham and wife Teresa of King and Joel Ketcham and wife Denise of Welcome; a brother, Alvoid Rector of Marietta, Ga.; two sisters, Cordy Conner of Lexington and Flossie Nolan of Hickory; five grandchildren, Alison Willard, Lauren Holman, Lindsay Baltes, Trey Ragsdale and Kendal Ketcham; three great-grandchildren, Watson Willard, Lachlan Willard, and Wyatt Ragsdale and an extended “family” of friends that she cherished greatly throughout her life. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Davidson County-Hinkle House, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, N.C., 27292, or Crisis Ministry of Davidson County, 12 East First Avenue, Lexington, N.C., 27292. Online Condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net