St. George, Utah - Velma Hodgson Criddle, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away August 17, 2015. She was born in Syracuse, Utah on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1934. She was the youngest of five children born to Lawrence and Vera Briggs Hodgson. Velma married her high school sweetheart, Howard Criddle, on September 20, 1951 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They shared a sweet love story that endured nearly 64 years. She was educated in the Davis County School District and devoted 35 years of her life working long, hard hours in the school lunch program. She was an excellent cook, maybe the best ever, and renowned for her Homemade Chocolates. You knew you were loved if you received her candy! Cooking was her first love, but she also loved flowers, gardening, crocheting, camping, traveling and the outdoors. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a compassionate heart and lived a life of service, providing comfort and many meals to those in need. Her greatest joy was her family. Her happiest moments were when the family was all together. She is survived by her husband, Howard Criddle; children: Larry (Annette) Criddle of Centerville, UT and Marilyn (Kelly) Eves of St. George, UT; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and sister, Shirma (Golden) Waite of Syracuse, UT. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Roy; and sisters: Dorean and Lola. A visitation will be held in St. George, Utah on Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary located at 288 West St. George Blvd. Funeral services will be held in Syracuse, Utah on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Syracuse LDS 1st Ward Chapel located at 700 South 2500 West. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be in the Syracuse City Cemetery.