Velma Coltrain

Velma House Coltrain of Williamston, NC. passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. She was born Velma Doris Bennett to Fannie Melissa Bland Bennett and Frank Calvin Bennett on December 25, 1920. Born on the Bennett family farm on McCaskey Road in Williamston, Velma was raised with 14 siblings from her father’s two marriages. Surviving Gene Clark, Frances Carrol. Deceased: Melvin Dudley, Nina Louise, Ronald Kent, Pattie, Alice, Ellen, Easter, Emma, William Lawrence, Frank Calvin, Eli Elton, Pattie Ray. The Bennett farm came to the Bennett family by land grant to James Bennett in 1790. James was the son of Thomas Bennett who came to the area in 1735 before Martin County was established.

Velma married Claude Halford House on September 14, 1936. He was a veteran of WWII who served in the Philippines and Japan. They were blessed with seven children over the next 16 years. Daughter Ethel Ann married to Ward Perry and to Pete Clark (deceased) of Williamston, their family Cathy Ottman and husband Eddie, Robin Perry, Janet Ringer and husband Ricky, son Jerry Bennett, partner John Bridges (deceased) of Raleigh, son Frank Mitchel (deceased) married to Frances Cloe of Williamston, their daughter Jennifer, daughter Linda Lou married to Johnny Frank Bailey of Washington, their family Karen Moore, Phillip and wife Janie, daughter Claudia married to Andrew Clabon Summerlin II (deceased) of Jamesville, their family Andrew, Mark and wife Melissa, Tom and Scott, son Claude Halford married to Karen Werner (deceased) of Chapel Hill, their daughter Melissa, daughter Marilyn Sue married to David Glisson Jr of Kansas City, their family Christopher, Kevin and wife Ashley. In addition Velma had 17 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren.

Claude Halford passed away July 21, 1952. Velma knew the value of hard work through rearing 7 children mostly on her own, working multiple jobs for many years to raise and provide for her family. When her children were grown, she married Archie Daniel Coltrain. They lived many happy years together before he also passed.

Velma was a longtime member of Memorial Baptist Church in Williamston. She enjoyed singing in the choir and later became one of the charter members of the single women’s group, The Golden Girls. She formed many precious friendships with these ladies over a period of more than 20 years. As Velma wrote in her memoires, “When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me, why cry for a soul set free. It is all a part of the master’s plan, a step on the road to home, Miss me but let me go. Remember the love I’ve once shared.”

Visitation will be at Biggs Funeral Home in Williamston from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 27, 2015. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM; Interment at Robersonville Cemetery.