Velma Ethelia Stephens Gilliam,age 87 passed away peacefully October 18, 2020 due to pulmonary hypertension. She was borned in Smithfield Ohio to Clifford Clarence Stephens and Evelyn Mae Shivley Stephens.
Velma was a long time community activist in both the Minneapolis and St Paul area. She served on the board of directors for the Mpls/St Paul Chapter of the United Way, Family and Children Services, Mpls/St Paul Council of Churches, NAACP Act-So and founding member of Black Unity and Futurism. She loved working with disadvantage and trouble teens. She always referred to them as "my kids." Velma was a member of St Mark AME Church in Orlando, FL. Her favorite quote was " Everything is Always in the Plan."
She is preceded in death by her father Clifford Clarence Stephens; mother, Evelyn Mae Shivley Stephens; and brother Gerald Neal Stephens.
Velma is survived by her husband Frank Gilliam Sr. , son Frank Gilliam Jr. (Jacquie), daughters Gayle Gilliam and Michelle Bembry (Michael); grandchildren Ariel and Trey Gilliam, Chental-Song Bembry, loving uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Please join us celebrating her life and legacy on Saturday October 24, 2020 at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road Gotha, FL 34734. Visitation begins at 1pm followed by the service at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Velma to the United Way and Family and Children Services.
Velma Ethelia Stephens Gilliam,age 87 passed away peacefully October 18, 2020 due to pulmonary hypertension. She was borned in Smithfield Ohio to Clifford Clarence Stephens and Evelyn Mae Shivley Stephens.
Velma was a long time community activist in both the Minneapolis and St Paul area. She served on the board of directors for the Mpls/St Paul Chapter of the United Way, Family and Children Services, Mpls/St Paul Council of Churches, NAACP Act-So and founding member of Black Unity and Futurism. She loved working with disadvantage and trouble teens. She always referred to them as "my kids." Velma was a member of St Mark AME Church in Orlando, FL. Her favorite quote was " Everything is Always in the Plan."
She is preceded in death by her father Clifford Clarence Stephens; mother, Evelyn Mae Shivley Stephens; and brother Gerald Neal Stephens.
Velma is survived by her husband Frank Gilliam Sr. , son Frank Gilliam Jr. (Jacquie), daughters Gayle Gilliam and Michelle Bembry (Michael); grandchildren Ariel and Trey Gilliam, Chental-Song Bembry, loving uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Please join us celebrating her life and legacy on Saturday October 24, 2020 at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road Gotha, FL 34734. Visitation begins at 1pm followed by the service at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Velma to the United Way and Family and Children Services.
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