Velma Louise Hatmaker Poyourow

Velma Louise Hatmaker Poyourow lost her battle for life on November 17, 2025, at the age of 86. She courageously fought to stay alive to be with her husband, Marvin, whom she dearly loved.
Velma Louise Hatmaker was born December 12, 1938, to Claude Elmer Hatmaker and Ida Josephine Bayless in Dutch Valley, Tennessee. She was the seventh out of ten children. Velma spent her childhood and teenage years helping tend the family farm. She met the Depression Era challenges for her large family by getting a job in a cotton mill, which required her to leave high school.
Velma enjoyed the outdoors, and she went on many adventures with her husband Marvin for 43 years. She enjoyed telling others about her adventures, and she always told her favorite stories of them overcoming challenges in extreme situations. Velma was an avid reader and enjoyed a variety of subjects with her favorite being about the Lord.
As a young woman, she participated in snowmachine racing, playing on a softball team and she expressed her love for the Lord by teaching Sunday school classes. Velma eventually was able to get her GED, which was very fulfilling to her, and she went on to take college classes. She loved to learn and use what she learned to help other people. Velma was open to the spiritual beliefs and needs of others and respected their differences.
Velma is remembered for being a kind, loving and generous person. She gave without hesitation to those she held close to her heart, which included many, many children and families that she worked with in the Norton Sound Region of Alaska. She was employed as a caseworker for Kawerak Incorporated Social Services. As a result, families and their children benefited over several generations.
Velma is survived by her husband Marvin Poyourow; her daughter Kelly Schoolcraft (Ivan) and grandchild Daniel Burton; her son Keith Burton (Nancy) and grandchildren Scott and Christopher Burton. She happily accepted and deeply loved Marvin's three children, Mitchell, Jill and David Poyourow as her own. Velma is also survived by her sister, Grace Barns (Ernest).
Velma was preceded in death by her mother Ida Josephine Hatmaker; father Claude Elmer Hatmaker; sisters Lorraine Denny (Kurt), Hazel Davis, Ima-jean Ridenour, Maxie Trammell (Elmer), Dorothy “Dot” Stephens, and Virginia “Carol” Summers; and her brothers Caspern Hatmaker (Helen) and Don Hatmaker.
Velma loved gospel music and one of her favorite songs was, “Why Me” by Kris Kristofferson. She loved the words, “I needed you so” and “I knew what I had.” She is our angel and will always be with us.