Velma Dorothy Pelfrey

Velma D. James Pelfrey was born in Oklahoma in 1926. Her father was Claudie James and her mother was Luvina Standerfer. At that time, Calvin Coolidge was U. S. President and her family home had no inside bathroom or electric lights. But she thrived with wonderful parents, a devoted older sister and a life with simple, wonderful things. The small family farm was stocked with a large garden, milk cows, chickens and hogs. She went to school in a one-room schoolhouse with cousins and friends who never lost touch. Every Sunday the James’ went to church, on foot, twice. Their spiritual life was central for every element in the family and that legacy is continuing on, full force, a hundred years later.

Her father was in the military during World War I, so after the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, he decided to move his family to California to immerse himself in the war effort. It was 1942, Velma was 15 at that time and her life changed in proportions she never expected. High school in California was surprising large with hundreds of students, with many who relocated to the west as she did. During World War II, Velma helped her mom find food staples, often in very short supply, to feed their family of seven as well as possible. She worked in “the fields”, and during that time a young man began showing up around the family home. He was James V. Pelfrey, Jr., and after a nice courtship, Junior and Velma were married in 1945.

The Pelfrey family was off and running. In 1946 Robbie Nell was born, Karen Lavelle in 1948, Priscilla Estelle in 1950, Gloria Juandell in 1952 and James Lawton in 1955. At that time Junior was working for an oil company in the massive Kern County oilfields. The family lived in a large home, owned by the oil company, and leased to the Pelfrey’s for $1/year. The school, the library, busses, cultural and community events, field trips - all funded by oil companies. The lease house was on a small rise and, to the south, was the Kern River. Velma cooked, cleaned, ferried and nurtured. After 15 years of those halcyon days, the family moved to south Bakersfield. Different patterns, different schools, a regular neighborhood. Once all the children were in school, Velma restarted her work life. She worked for a printing/lithographing business for 30 years and loved every minute. After Junior died in 1996 she busied herself baking cookies for schoolchildren at an elementary school. Another move and it was time for rest, reflection and warm, good times.

Velma passed at 99 3/4 years, almost reaching 100. She became a Christian at age 7 and drove her life with loving, spiritual eyes. She was an avid church member, Sunday School teacher, choir member, auxiliary worker, church greeter, visitation member and anything else she could contribute to the heavenly cause. Her final destination, the gates of heaven, is complete. Her desire was for all of us close to ascend to heaven together, but God had a different plan. The absence of this amazing woman of quality from our midst is beyond sad. Her needs were few but all of them were precious. Now we are faced with a future of only memories, photos and heartache. For the ultimate reunion with our incredible Mama, we’re counting the minutes.

A Funeral Service will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306, US, on August 31, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

A Committal Service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306, US, on August 31, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.