Velma L McGee

March 24, 1930 – February 19, 2012

Velma Louise was born on March 24, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri to Ed and Pauline Nelson. She was the second child of four; Melba, Ed and predeceased by her youngest brother Van, who passed away at the young age of 12 due to cancer.

Her given name was Velma but nicknamed “Bubbles” by her older sister, Melba. This nickname came about because Velma used to blow little bubbles as a baby. Later she became known as “Aunt Buzz” by her nieces and nephews because it was easier for them to say “Buzz” when they were little.

She graduated from Westport High School’s class of 1947 in Kansas City and worked at the Kansas City Star Newspaper for a time. Oddly enough, her grandparents lived on McGee Street. Little did she know that her married name would one day be McGee.

While visiting family in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the summer of 1947, she went with her brother Ed to Lake Calhoun to play and sunbathe. Richard “Dick” McGee, Jr., a Marine returning from WWII, spotted a beautiful young woman on the beach. It truly was love at first sight. They were married three months later on September 23, 1947 and were happily married for 64 and a half years. They were sweethearts, sharing a deep love and commitment to each other. Soon after their wedding, they moved to downtown Sacramento, California so Richard could pursue his career as a General Contractor and be closer to his father, Richard A. McGee, Sr. Velma found employment with the State of California and enjoyed playing softball with her work team. Soon after they moved, they were followed by her parents and eventually her sister and brother. This tight bond is thanks, in large part, to her grandmother, Emma Nelson, who instilled the importance of family and relationships in her children and grandchildren.

In 1949, she turned her focus to full-time motherhood and they soon began a family after purchasing a house on Tevis Road in suburban Sacramento, where they lived for 36 years. Gary was born first in 1949, followed by Jane in 1951, then Richard in 1958 and finally, Aileen in 1965. As a family, they were able to overcome many adversities and share much joy and happiness. In addition to four children, she had a daughter-in-law, Linda Bonora-McGee and son-in-law, Wade Lokka whom she welcomed into the family with open arms as she always did to everyone who entered her home. She is survived by nine grandchildren (Aaron, Danny, Amy, Jennifer, Colleen, Stephanie, Richie, Greg & Garrett) and seven great-grandchildren (Adeline, Joshua, Hannah, Caleb, Zane, Lex, and Adriana) Velma is also survived by sister-in-law, Shirley Nelson, and predeceased by sister-in-laws, Elizabeth “Betty” McGee-Swisher and Alice Jean McGee-Jordan. Family was very important to Velma, as this was evident in her lifelong profession as a homemaker.

Velma attended Carmichael Presbyterian Church in Carmichael, CA when the family was young and was Sunday School Teacher to elementary school-aged children. She enjoyed playing pinochle and other card games. In recent years, she enjoyed playing Bunco every Tuesday at her neighborhood clubhouse while enjoying the company of friends. She had a love for music that was instilled in her from a young age. When she was only five years old, she sang on the radio with her sister, Melba and her cousin, Marwilda. She sang in her high school a cappella choir as a Soprano and at church as well. She loved big band music and played the piano in her younger years.

We rejoice that she is in heaven in the arms of Jesus. Velma leaves behind a legacy of love, strength and faith. She is loved beyond measure by her husband and family and will be missed greatly!