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Velma White, age 100, beloved Mother joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for eternal life on Thursday, April 23rd with her daughters at her side. Velma was proud to call San Antonio and the Bexar County area her home for over 69 years. Her loving parents Charles Franklin “Frank” Smith and Bessie Mae Evans Smith welcomed the birth of twin daughters Velma Lou and Melba Sue born August 31, 1925 in Stephens, Arkansas. Velma moved to Texas with her family in 1930 and was lovingly raised by her parents alongside her 10 siblings in a farming community in Hall County called Eli, located in the Texas panhandle near Memphis, Texas. Velma was a graduate of Memphis High School Class of 1944. While on holiday leave from the United States Army Air Corps, Velma’s older brother Ben, brought home his best friend and fellow soldier Horsley Burks White, Jr. of Lynchburg, Virginia to join him and the entire Smith family for a holiday weekend filled with the best home cooking and gracious Texas hospitality. It was then Burks was smitten with Velma’s beauty and shyness; they began letter corresponding as he was soon shipped out to England during the war. Thus, began their lasting and devoted relationship. On October 18, 1948 Velma and Burks were married in Memphis, TX in a church ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Velma was a devoted military wife who supported her husband’s patriotic duty and service to our country. The couple were stationed at various United States Air Force installations including Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska; Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, TX; Gary Air Force Base, San Marcos, TX and Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Velma and Burks were blessed with births of their three children Jerry Wayne, Donna Gale and Karen Rene. Velma was the epitome of a devoted, caring and loving Mother whose extraordinary selfless acts of nurturing, encouragement, devotion and love made each of her children feel incredibly grateful to have her as the best Mother in the entire world. Her gracious hospitality, amazing home-cooking, decorating, sewing & quilting, and her creative arts & crafts were generous gifts to her family and friends and all who knew her. Velma loved to socialize with friends and neighbors enjoying their monthly supper club to various San Antonio area restaurants; and in later years she enjoyed staying active and independent through the close-knit fellowship and activities with dear friends at Patriot Heights Senior Living. Velma enjoyed a successful 35-year career with the retail icon Montgomery Ward as Manager of the Catalog Department at the McCreless Mall location in San Antonio; and after retiring from Catalog, Velma worked several more years in retail at Ward’s Westlake Mall department store location. For over 25 years Velma was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star with Chapters Lytle OES #335, Somerset OES #730, and Alamo Heights OES #734. Velma served many officer positions as well as two different terms as Worthy Matron with her husband Burks serving by her side as Worthy Patron. Her devotion to charity work and friendships with her Eastern Star sisters were some of the most rewarding memories she treasured. Velma and her twin sister, Melba Joy enjoyed the most extraordinary loving “twin” bond enduring 93 years until her beloved Melba’s passing in 2019. Affectionately known in the Smith family as “The Twins” Velma and Melba were a constant joy to be around, always dressing alike their entire life whether they planned it or not; telling hilarious mischievous stories of being in school, playing tricks on their teachers, classmates and dates who could not tell them apart. Even playing tricks on their own young children and Melba’s grandchildren looking at the twins trying to determine which was their “real” Mother and/or Grandmother. Lots of laughter always ensued. Family reunions were always full of fun and excitement with “The Twins”. Velma and Melba taught us all by example the importance of Christian family life. Velma’s strong Christian faith and service to her church was an important part of her youth and entire adult life. She was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church, and former member of Lackland Baptist Church and South San Baptist Church, San Antonio, TX. Velma was preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 60 years Horsley Burks White, Jr; her parents, Frank and Bessie Smith; 7 brothers Ben, Jim, Grady, Charles, R.B., Tony and Coy; and 3 sisters Valda Easley, Louise Cramner, and Melba Joy of Amarillo, TX. Velma is survived by her devoted children: son Jerry White & Janie Harris of New Braunfels; daughter Donna Biles and husband Quinton of Helotes; daughter Karen Mella and husband Charles “Chas” of Rockport, niece Joye Beth Rhodes Lewis and husband Terry of San Antonio, Chas’ sister Melinda “Mindy” Mella of Dallas, and many adoring nieces and nephews who affectionately called her “Auntie Velma” all whom she loved so very much. Velma’s selfless acts of love, devotion, positive encouragement and inspiration to her three children will remain in their hearts forever. Visitation with the Family will begin at 11:00am one hour prior to the funeral service. The Funeral Service honoring Velma White will be held at 12:00noon at the Chapel at Mission Park North Funeral Home located at 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive, San Antonio, TX 78230. Immediately following the funeral service all attendees cordially invited to join the family for a luncheon celebration 1:30pm – 3:30pm at Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant located 17603 IH-10 West at the Rim, San Antonio, TX 78257. A private family graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 6th at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery Shelter #3. Velma will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Horsley Burks White, Jr.

Tributes

Velma L. White

August 31, 1925 - April 23, 2026