Velma (Thomas) Giltner, 92, a longtime Parsons resident, died at 6:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at the Parsons Presbyterian Manor.

She was born Jan. 27, 1917, at Loving, N.M., to Floyd and Myrtle (Gwartney) Thomas. The family moved to Mound Valley when she was a child and then to Parsons, where she graduated from Parsons High School in 1935.

She was employed as a telephone operator by Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for 35 years, retiring in 1979. For 20 years after retirement, she spent the winters in San Benito, Texas.

On Oct. 27, 1937, she married Arthur W. Giltner in Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death on May 7, 1985.

Mrs. Giltner was a member of First Baptist Church and the Telephone Pioneers of America. She enjoyed dancing and doing handiwork.

Survivors include a daughter, Maryann Beasley of Parsons; and four grandchildren, Murrie Torrelio of Panama City, Fla., Kristi Giltner of Parsons, Mark Giltner of Parsons and Jill Head of Parsons.

Others preceding her in death include her son, Mervyn Giltner, in August 2008; a brother, Bill Thomas; and two sisters, Opal Galvin and Alpha Mae Caudle.

The service was at 2 p.m. Monday at Presbyterian Manor Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Mason officiating. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States in Joplin and may be left at or sent to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home at P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.