Velma Lee Johnson was born on October 11, 1939 to Festus and Jewel Cole- Ross in Huntsville, Texas. She was preceded in death by both parents, her daughter: Kathy Johnson; siblings: Rosie Lee Douglas, Theodore Ross, Ella Mae Brown and Dorothy McAdams; niece: Clara Johnson and nephew: Louis McAdams.

Velma is survived by her son: Paul David Johnson; grandchildren: Paul David Johnson Jr., Paula Kay Johnson and Devin Dwayne Johnson; one great-grandson; nieces: Jewel McAdams and Verna Douglas; nephew: Ronald Ross; and a host of additional relatives and friends.