Velma Pauline (Pilant) Echols

Velma was born on March 6, 1946, in the Adair, OK home of her parents, Rev. Elmer R. and Polly Elizabeth (Howell) Pilant. She died on August 2, 2024 in Commerce, City, CO. Velma was the eighth child of what would eventually be 11. 

An outgoing person, she was saved and baptized in Saline Creek around 1959 and quickly fell in love with the Lord and his church, serving wherever she was needed, and learning the bible enthusiastically, she was outspoken in sharing her faith. Velma graduated from Pryor High School in 1964, moving to the Kanas City area to be with her older siblings. She started working as an operator at Southwestern Bell - a career that would last through many company ownerships and name changes until her retirement. 

She met and married Rev. Jim Echols in Missouri, giving Velma a ready - built family with three boys - Michael, Paul, and William. They would later add Daniel, Laura, and Kimberly. Velma's husband Jim passed away after a motor vehicle accident in 2013. She was also preceded in death by her Parents, Rev. Elmer R. and Polly Pilant, siblings - Velda and Truman Dennis, Jean Lavaughn and Don Driscoll, Harold Dean and Stephanie Pilant, Ruby Irene and Ron Haley, Billy Ray Pilant, Bobby Lee Pilant, brother - in-law, Roland Milligan, son - in - law, Thomas Ciancio, and granddaughter, Diane Echols - Vergara.  

She is survived by siblings Leon and Sharon Pilant, Salina, OK, Wanda Milligan of Pryor, OK, Richard and Cathy Pilant, Eufaula, NM, Jerold and Linda Pilant, Pryor, OK. She is also survived by her children, Mike Echols, Plato, MO; Paul Echols, Purdy, MO, Bill Echols, Peoria, Illinois, Daniel and Cheri Echols, Laura Ciancio, and Kimberly and JJ McLallen, all of Commerce, City, CO; 10 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held for Velma on Saturday, September 21, 2024, 2:00 p.m., at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Pryor.