Velma Jean McCleery

Our beloved and cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Velma McCleery, 90, journeyed to heaven on August 10, 2023, from her residence in San Angelo, Texas, with family at her side. Visitation is set for Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Johnson’s Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Immanuel Baptist Church, 90 E. 14th Street in San Angelo, Texas. A private burial will follow at Belvedere Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home.

Velma Jean Sellers McCleery was born in San Angelo, Texas on August 13, 1932, to Bill and Violet Sellers. Velma was raised in the Lake View community where she met her eternal love, Grady McCleery. Velma and Grady married on September 28, 1946. Velma and Grady began their married life in San Angelo, Texas, but moved their family to Brady, Texas (1959) and Mason, Texas (1966) in response to Grady’s job requirements, before returning to San Angelo in 1968 for the remainder of their years. Velma was a wonderful homemaker, a phenomenal cook, and at times, she also worked outside the home. Her employment included Luby’s Cafeteria, Rabb’s Nursing Home, and finally, 17 years of work at Ethicon, before retiring to be a full-time caregiver to her beloved husband, Grady.

Velma loved the Lord and was a devout Christian her entire life as she worshiped with and actively supported several Baptist churches in each of the places she lived over the years. It was at Central Baptist Church in Brady, Texas where Velma made lifelong friends with Betty McMillan and Delma Crawford. At times, Velma’s church service included teaching Sunday school, instructing the G.A.’s, and singing in the choir, including singing specials with her friend Betty. Velma was a current member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she was especially fond of everyone in her Sunday school class. Several class members including Wanda Hudson, Sammie Caldwell, Edith Zimmerman, and others always stayed in close contact, even after she was unable to attend these last few months. She loved these special friends dearly.

Velma loved visiting with family and friends, and cherished going to her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities. She enjoyed dancing when young, listening to bluegrass music with her dear friend Ruth Sellers, and traveling. Velma was kind, thoughtful, hardworking, and will be forever known for her unconditional love for her immediate and extended family.

Velma adored children and her home was always full of grandkids, nieces, nephews, and the neighborhood kids. They were all family to her. She took care of and went on vacations and trips with her grandkids and great-grandchildren every chance she could, and happily cooked meals for all the kids in the neighborhood when they came over to play with the children in her family.

Velma’s mission in life was one of selfless service and caregiving to others. She was happiest when she was helping and taking care of someone else. Until very recently, she spent countless hours taking family, and friends to doctor appointments, driving them to church, providing meals, cleaning their houses, running errands, doing their laundry, fixing their hair, keeping them company, and so much more, to help in times of need.

Velma was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Grady; grandson, Heath White, and daughter-in-law, Danny Karen McCleery. Also preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Chester Sellers, Elton Sellers, Bill Sellers, Phil Sellers; sister, Wanda Sellers Carroll; and all thirteen of her McCleery brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Danny McCleery; daughter, Nancy White and husband, Edgar; her grandchildren, Patric McCleery and wife, Joan (Katy), Aaron McCleery and wife, Freya (Travis and Aislyn), Joshlyn Matthews and husband, Truman (Ayden and Autumn), Seth White and Lindsey (Sara and Addy), sister-in-law, Ruth Sellers; niece, Pam Lemos; great-nice Ashlynn Lemos; and many more nieces and nephews who she dearly loved.

Special thanks to Wayne and Karen Cummings for being such helpful and caring neighbors over the years, and to Britney and all the staff members at Hospice of San Angelo who lovingly cared for Velma and her family these last weeks.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Children’s Miracle Network, St. Jude’s, Immanuel Baptist Church, Hospice of San Angelo (HOSA), or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com for the McCleery family.