Velina E. Spearman

In 1963, she accepted Christ and was baptized by her grandfather, Aaron Spearman at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, Illinois.

Velina moved to Kansas City, Kansas and attended KCK public school system. Velina was a singer all her life and began to study music at the age of 9. In her junior year in school she participated in her high school talent show and in 1968 Barry Gordy who owned Motown offered her a contract. Velina graduated from Sumner High School Class of 1969. During her high school years she attended the Conservatory School of Music in KCMO. She attended Wichita State University, where she received her Associate degree in music. She then transferred to the University of Minnesota where she received her Bachelors degree in music. Velina was an alumni of Kean College of New Jersey where she graduated with honors and received her Masters in music.

While attending Wichita State University Velina met and married the love of her life Kingsley Findlay and to this union one son was born, Kevin Findlay.

She worked at Merck Pharmaceutical Company as a copyright editor and proofreader for 10 years. But her love for music took her back into the world of music full time.

Velina studied with renowned mezzo/soprano Betty Allen, and with such well known vocal coaches as pianist Kelly Wyatt and Wayne Saunders of Opera Ebony.

Velina performed with several opera companies including the New York State Opera Society, Century Opera Company and Apollo Opera, Inc. She sang for several seasons with the Metropolitan Opera including its first full length premier production of the George Gershwin opera, Porgy and Bess, with conductor James Levine. Her work includes performances on classic radio including New Yorks WQXR, and public television stations around the country. Velina appeared both in concerts and on recordings with Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman at Carnegie Hall, as well as with the Metropolitan Operas Porgy and Bess ensemble.

She performed extensively as a recitalist and concert singer and had many performances as a soloist and guest artist, including a tour of the Soviet Union and Poland with the Minnesota Vocal Arts Ensemble. She was chosen to sing on the premier performance of composer/arranger Alice Parker Catata, Sermon from the Mountain; Martin Luther King, with Mrs. Parker and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Velina receive a lot of satisfaction in helping shaping future generations by teaching and mentoring aspiring young pianist and vocalist of all ages. Velina taught history through music and theater in schools and churches.

She was a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Roselle, New Jersey. She was a soloist at Trinity Presbyterian Church where she was also the youth choir director. Later she became a soloist at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Due to declining health she returned home to Kansas City, Kansas to be near siblings, where she attended Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church until her health prevented her from attending.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her son, Kevin Findlay of Roselle, New Jersey; siblings: Reginald Spearman of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Tanya Brailsford of Kansas City, Kansas, Charles “Tory” Spearman (Toni) of San Angelo, Texas; nieces: Melody, Jasmine, Ayanna, Faith, Alisha, Kyeshia, Brianna Boyd and Erica Green; nephews: Aaron, Jared, Brandon and Jordan Brown. Along with a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.