Velma J. Shelby was born January 11, 1946, to the parents of Harvey Shelby and Fannie B. Shelby. She was the fifth of twelve siblings, and she was very loved. She confessed her belief in Christ at an early age at Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church. She attended Sumner Hill High School
in Clinton, Mississippi. She was a dedicated worker, employed with Cal- Maine Milk Diary where she retired from, after about forty plus years.
Velma loved family gatherings, cooking, traveling, being with family and fishing. Her favorite foods were catfish and chocolate cake. She was very handy with her hands. If anything was broken, she would work to fix it. A mother of five, one child, Teresa Shelby preceded her in death. She was also preceded by: her loving parents, Harvey and Fannie B. Shelby; siblings, Cleveland, Dorothy, Minnie Pearl, Bernice, Delores, Harvey, Jr., Mary Louise, Eva Marie, Georgia Mae; and daughter-in-law, Alice Shelby.

On February 7, 2023, Velma Shelby completed her duties on earth and departed this life, leaving treasured memories to: her four children, Estella of Edwards, Mississippi, Jeremiah (Alice) of Jackson, Mississippi, Willie Mae (Willie) of Jackson, Mississippi and Stephan (Alvin) of Bolton, Mississippi; seven granddaughters; eight grandsons; twenty-two great grandchildren; two sisters, Sarah (A.J.) of Chicago, Illinois and Eva B. of Edwards, Mississippi; sister-in-law, Mary of Jackson, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who she loved and adored.