Velva Jo Murphy Berry

Velva Jo Murphy Berry was born September 28, 1948, in Galena Park, Texas, to Ella Hatley Murphy and Josenath Murphy. She was raised in Galena Park and attended MacArthur Elementary. Her parent’s eventually moved to Pasadena where Velva attended Southmore Intermediate and Sam Rayburn High School. Velva was a daughter to two proud parents who spoiled her early in life and showed her the importance of giving of yourself and helping others. Velva learned at a young age how to be fiscally responsible and was always wise beyond her years.

Velva was 14 years old when she met the love of her life and husband of 55 years in 1962. David picked up from school one day when it was raining and the greatest love story ever written began. David was drafted to the Vietnam War and started boot camp in April 26, 1965 at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Three months later, Velva and David married on June 26, 1965, in Braggadocio, Missouri, at her grandparents’ house. They insisted on getting married before David was deployed in the Vietnam War. Velva worked at Handy Dand setting up the new hardware store in Pasadena. Velva and David were over the moon when Joey was born in 1968. Joey was a miracle since Velva had been told she couldn’t have children. In 1969, Velva and David planned for another child and Lisa was born in 1970. Dana was a surprise in 1973 but they loved her just the same. David coached baseball from 1974 to the early 80s and Velva was a baseball Mom. She fielded many phones calls from upset parents who couldn’t understand why their child wasn’t playing. There were numerous kids who grew up in the Berry household and Velva treated them as her own kids, several still affectionately call Velva Mom. Later when the kids were older, she and a friend of hers started a business just to keep busy.

Velva was a daughter, a Mom, an aunt, a best friend, a teacher, roll model and an advocate for anyone who needed help. Velva was a long time member of the PTA and often planned parties, school festivals and events. She loved to cook, read mystery novels and stories set in the Amish country. Velva collected roosters, cobalt and butterflies. There wasn’t a room in their house without multiple roosters, but David drew the line at the bathroom. Velva was an avid gardener and happiest sitting on her patio or front porch, watching hummingbirds feed and reading a good book. Her neighbors often stopped by to check in with her and David.

Velva was proudest of her marriage, children and grandchildren. She was always available to her kids and their friends no matter the situation. She didn’t judge in the situation and did her best to help you resolve it. Later on she would let you know exactly how she felt and try to understand why you made decisions that got you in that situation in the first place. She helped raise her grand kids and they called her Mom before calling her Grandma. She loved the Astros and often attended day games with one of her best friends, LaNell. Velva could talk on the phone for hours with Irene and Becky.

Velva is survived by daughter Lisa Davis and partner Rocky Bradway, daughter Dana Berry, daughter in law Claudia Hobbs (Scott), grand-daughter Alexandra Stoffers, grandsons Ethan Berry and wife Reselle, Murphy Berry and John David Alexander, great granddaughter Destiny Stoffers and great grandson Leo Stoffers, siblings Irene Wyatt and Robert Briggance, Donald Smith, Willie Berry, Billy Chapman, Dallas Berry, Suzette Berry and Sonny Shreeves,

Velva was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years David B. Berry, parents Ella and Joe Murphy, Macle and Harvey Clarke, Louise and Buster Berry, son Joey Berry, siblings Patricia and Gene Goetz, Patricia Smith, Alberta Shreeves, James Berry, Mary Ashworth, Sharon and Buddy Poole, Donald Clark and Terri Chapman, best friends Gloria Carpenter, La Nell Simon, Becky and Charles Wilson.

Pall bearers: Ethan Berry, Murphy Berry, John David Alexander, Anthony (Tony) Bernard, Jerry Huffman and Steve Speich. Honorary: Edward Wood, Patrick Magehy and Michael Newton