Velma Block

VELMA PAULINE TALIAFERRO BLOCK, 85, of Little Rock, died on Mothers Day, May 8, 2011. She was born March 3, 1926 in Fenter, Ark., to the late Charles A .and Lucy Fenter Taliaferro. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond E. Block, Jr., of The Block Realty Company; sisters Clarice Reynolds and Oma Niles; brothers Carl and Wilburn Taliaferro; and her longtime dear friend Morris Lulky. Velma was dedicated to her family, her friends, the Little Rock community and the Jewish community. She was a longtime, active member of Temple B'Nai Israel, where she enjoyed serving as president and treasurer of Sisterhood, and singing in the women's volunteer choir, the Sheckinotes. She was a life member and president of the Little Rock chapter of Hadassah and also served in various capacities on the regional level. During the Central High Crisis she was part of the Women's Emergency Committee and during World War II she worked at the Munitions Plant in Jacksonville. She's received numerous honors and recognitions, but two prestigious awards were presented in the last decade: Velma was one of the first recipients of the Jewish Federation of Arkansas' Jane Mendel Tikkun Olum Award, in recognition of a lifetime of community service. She also received the Woman of Valor Award from Hadassah, the largest women's volunteer organization in America. Survivors include a son, Glenn Alan Block of Little Rock; daughter, Beverly Ann Block and son-in-law, Greg House of Fayetteville; a granddaughter, Olivia Ashlyn House of Fayetteville; and numerous family members and friends. She will be dearly missed by those whose lives she has touched. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hadassah c/o Temple B'Nai Israel LR or any charity of your choice. The funeral service is 10 a.m., Tuesday at Temple B'Nai Israel, 3700 N. Rodney Parham with Rabbi Eugene Levy officiating. Interment will follow at Jewish Oakland Cemetery. To sign the online guest register, please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.