Velma Ieva Padilla

Velma Ieva Padilla, 92, a long time Pine Island resident, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. She was born on February 25, 1920 in Russellville, Alabama to Maude and Susie Plylar. Velma lived on the family farm with her parents and siblings until 1936 when she met her husband, Jesse Padilla. Jesse, who was a pioneer of Cayo Costa Island was working in Russellville on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CC Camp). After marrying, the couple moved to Pine Island where they built their life together. There were so many ways in which she and Jesse shaped Pine Island as we know it today. Velma was a very hard worker and worked side-by-side with her husband to establish fishing businesses in Matlacha, St. James City and Bokeelia. In 1990 Jesse passed away, and Velma continued with their business until retiring at the age of 73. Their business, Jug Creek Fish Company & Marina in Bokeelia is still thriving and is operated by her daughter and son in law, Virginia and Joey Morton.

Velma is survived by her loving family including her three daughters, Virginia (Joey) Morton, Susie (Pete Laupp) Robertson, Deborah (Tom) Hamilton; two sisters, Lecie Moody and Mary Horton; 11 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; and numerous great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Thomas Padilla, son, Roy Thomas Padilla, brother, Travis Plylar; sister, Nancy Tompkins.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7th, 2012 at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, 1630 Pine Island Rd., with burial to follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fort Myers. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com to leave thoughts and memories for her family.