Velma Lee Kirby McPhail Pratt

Velma Lee Kirby McPhail Pratt, 95, of Washington, Utah, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 6,2024. Velma was born May 1, 1929 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Herbert Elias Kirby and May Stella Propst Kirby. 

Some time after her mother and father divorced Velma spent time living with her grandmother on the farm where ( as she would say) her grandmother would leave food out on the table during the day covered with a tea towel so they could snack most of the day. After chores were done she would spend fun times swimming in the duck pond. After some time Velma and her older sister Billie, decided to move cross country on their own at age 15 and 16 to California. 

The two sisters worked hard and played hard. They would go to the dances thrown for the sailors when they docked and it was probably then that Velma met her future husband Clifford E. McPhail who was in the navy. 

They Married on September 30th, 1950. They settled into marriage and had a son. David E. McPhail. Clifford died unexpectedly in August 1955 while Velma was carrying their second child, a daughter, Rita L. McPhail Lathim.  With the help from Clifford’s parents, she made it through this very difficult time in her life. 

After a few years Velma met and married Dee Forest Pratt in May of 1959. After living a few years in Garden Grove California the couple had become weary of the big city life. Dee’s mother had passed away and left her home in Fredonia Arizona to Dee so they packed up and moved to Fredonia. 

After moving to Fredonia, Velma had numerous jobs but spent most of her working years at Barco a sewing factory in Kanab, Utah and the Texaco gas station in Fredonia. They loved, lived and worked hard making a life for themselves until the passing of Dee in December of 1992. This is when Velma decided to move to Washington, Utah. She worked many years at Sterling Court Assisted Living and had many friends at work and many more friends playing bingo and going to the dances at Kings Row and My Blue Heaven mobile parks. 

Velma had a complete turn around and change in her life and was baptized at 93 years young to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was able to attend the temple open house for the St. George and Red Cliffs Utah temples which she was amazed with and in awe about. She absolutely loved going to church and watching the Tabernacle Choir along with her westerns on TV. 

Velma was the last surviving sibling from her family. 

She is survived by her son David McPhail, daughter in law, Vickie McPhail. Daughter Rita Lathim and son in law Rodney Lathim. Seven grandchildren. Cammy Taysom, Randi Stats, Hydie Brooksby, Clarissa Strong, Rick Lathim, Rachel Swapp, Roben Smith and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. 

We will sorely miss her but find great comfort knowing she is with loved ones just beyond the veil. 

A graveside service and family gathering will take place later in January.