Velma Bender

She was born in Louin, Mississippi on February 7, 1926 to Willis and Mabell Magee Edwards.

Velma was a hard working woman who loved her God, church, her family, and was a loved member of her community. After marrying the love of her life Dewitt Bender on June 16, 1946 she moved to the Colorado City area where she quickly became a loved member of her community. She drove school bus for over 27 years for Colorado ISD. After she retired she spent many years cooking for her community, mostly at the Civic Center which she was very passionate about and very good at. Those that knew her knew she was a strict woman, and many remember her carrying a stick while driving the bus. She was the type of woman who ruled the roost both at home and at work, but everyone knew she spoiled all of her children (even the in-laws). In her spare time she enjoyed cooking, quilting, and crocheting, as well as working in her yard and in her garden. She also spent many hours canning preserves and jellies for her family and friends to enjoy. Those that knew her knew that she loved her family just as much as they loved her, and she will be truly missed by all that loved her.

Velma is survived by her children Hilton Bender and wife Eula of Sweetwater, Doris Green and husband James of Colorado City, and son Robert Bender and wife Jimmie of Sweetwater, by her grandchildren; Calvin Bender, Quincy Bender, Aundra Bender, Ceptember Davis, Rodney Griggs, Quincy Griggs, Jamal Green, Ivan Green, Ta’Shieka Crump, Robert Williams, Ebony Williams, Tony Williams, Christine Harris, and Rashard Walthall, as well as by a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Vernon Edwards and his wife Ruth of Brownburg Indiana, one special look alike niece Angela Edward of Dora Florida, (side kick) care giving niece Veloria Green, Diane Taylor, Jay Boy Adams, and many others that she was like a mother too.

She was preceded in death by her parents Willis and Mabell Edwards, by her husband Dewitt Bender, and by 10 siblings.

A funeral service for Velma will be held at the First Baptist Church of Colorado City at 2pm on Saturday, December 11th with pastor Quincy Randall of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church officiating, burial will follow in the Mitchell County Cemetery. Services will be live-streamed on Kiker Seale Funeral Homes Facebook page. Pallbearers will be Robert Williams, Tony Williams, Ivan Green, Rashard Walthall Quincy Bender, and Stedman Jones.

The family will be present at Kiker Seale Funeral Home for a visitation on Friday, December 10th from 5-7pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to New Mount Zion Church.

Those wishing to share a memory are encouraged to do so by visiting www.kikerseale.com