Velma Davidson Gifford passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Clinton Presbyterian Community on July 10, 2026.

She was born in Weiner, Arkansas on February 8, 1935. The oldest of 4 children with two working parents, Velma played a large role in raising her younger siblings. She graduated from Truman High School and went straight to work as a secretary in Memphis, TN where she met Elvis Presley several times when he worked a delivery truck driver. Velma would go on to marry the “bad boy” of Truman High School, Leland Gifford, in 1955. Leland and Velma would go on to live in 8 different states and 1 foreign country together as his job in the fertilizer industry took him all over. Somewhere in all of their travels they had two children, Carl and Darlene. Velma stayed at home with the kids until they were in school and then began working as a church secretary. When Leland retired from work, the two moved to SC to be near the true loves of their lives: the grandchildren (Elizabeth and Bobby). The two remained married for 52 years until Leland’s passing in 2011.

Velma held a deep love for Christ and helping others. She spread this love through various ways including participating in a women’s prison ministry, helping open a women’s transition home, and leading various Bible studies. She was also a woman of many talents who handmade clothes for friends and family, made greeting cards for residents of Springfield Place, and sent home many a beautifully colored page to her loved ones. Velma loved her people loudly and in obvious ways. She never missed an event even vaguely involving her grandkids and cared for plenty of “adopted” kids and grandkids. She lived the past 6 years of her life in independent living at Springfield Place where she became a part of a close knit group of fellow residents who would look out for each other and celebrate every event in each others lives. Velma loved to spend time coloring in her patio home, watching birds off of her back porch, and riding around Newberry with her beloved friend and caretaker Marilyn.

Velma is predeceased by her husband Leland Gifford, parents, Robert Charles and Jane McKnight Davidson, brothers, Charles (Janice) Davidson and Jim Davidson and sister Mary Jane (Bob) Johnson.

She is survived by her children Darlene (Eddie) McLeod and Carl (Theresa Switzer) Gifford, grandchildren Elizabeth and Bobby, sister in law Susan Davidson, a plethora of nieces and nephews, and people adopted by her heart.

She will be remembered for her kind heart and loving generosity. Velma taught us to love God and each other.

Funeral services will be held at 10:45 am on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at First Baptist Church by the Rev. Blake Harwell and the Rev. Dr. Albert Allen.

The committal service will precede the funeral service at 10:00 am at Rosemont Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Gideons International – Newberry Camp, PO Box 795, Newberry, SC 29108 or to Habitat for Humanity, 625 Taylor Street, Suite 2-B, Columbia SC 29201.

Special thanks are extended to Carmon Mincy and her care team, Springfield Place staff and residence and the Presbyterian Community.

Active pallbearers will be Eric Alexander, Bobby Shuler, Scott Davidson, Kevin Ballance, Brad Tchouros and Brooks Nagel.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Ruth Sunday School Class.