Velma M. Graham was born on August 4, 1935 in Whiteville, North Carolina. She was the second child born to the union of the late Amon and Winfred Mckenzie. After the passing of her mother, Velma was nurtured and raised by her grandmother, Gertrude Griffin. On Tuesday, June 23, 2020 God saw fit to call her home to rest after a brief illness.
Velma accepted Christ at an early age, she joined and was baptized at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Whiteville, North Carolina. She attended Grammar School and graduated from Mt. Olive High School where she enjoyed playing basketball and was quite fond of her agricultural classes.
After graduating high school, Velma met and married the love of her life Willard Dean Graham, a U.S. Army Veteran. They worked as Sharecroppers for several years. However, wanting to improve the quality of their lives relocated to Washington, D.C. Velma worked as a clerk at High's Dairy working her way up to becoming a Manager. Eager to advance, she began her career with the Federal Government. After working various positions with GSA, she retired as a Building manager for the State Department.
Velma was a very giving and generous soul. Even though she had no children of her own; Velma lived up to the meaning of her name “Valiant Protector”, opening her home to family and friends paving a way for them to start a new life. She met no strangers and was friendly and straightforward toward everyone she met and would very often put you in your place. She was a natural born leader and a very unselfish giver of her time and money to those in need.
Velma was a very distinguished woman who belong to various women organizations and volunteered for many community services events. She was a very faithful servant of the Lord and often you would find her nurturing the sick and shut in. She would sit by their bedside, bring food, and anything to provide comfort during their distress. As a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Landover, MD. She enjoyed singing in the choir, loved participating in senior activities and events, and doing catering in her earlier years in the church kitchen. Velma was very fashionable and was known for her beautifully fabulous hats. she enjoyed entertaining family, baking, gardening, music, dancing, traveling, and making quilts. As an antique collector, she had a passion for collecting odd items from teacups to dolls. Most who knew her were fortunate to be embraced with love, kindness, and an abundance of hospitality – let us not forget those many baked recipes! She was a faithful servant to so many and will be dearly missed.
Velma is preceded in death by her late husband and love of her life, Willard D. Graham; Sister Arminta Murphy (Truman); and Stepmother Nettie Lee Johnson McKenzie.
Velma leaves to cherish her memories: Siblings: Myrtle L. Best (Preston), Dianna McKenzie, Amon E. McKenzie (Claudette), Darlene Martin (Jerry), Janice Sutton (Charles), David McKenzie (Gail), Edward McKenzie (Pamela); a host of nieces, nephews, family, church family, and friends.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5