Velma Opal Wade Obit

Velma Opal Kellogg Wade was born February 2, 1908 to James Kellogg and Luticia Mae Brassfield in Monroe, Oklahoma.

Velma passed away on February 18, 2008 in Henryetta, Oklahoma at the age of 100. Her siblings who lived to reach adulthood include brothers, James (Jim); Henry; Issac and sisters, Johnnie; Willie; Louise and Leona Kellogg. Others were born but died shortly after birth. Her mother was a highly respected as a midwife and nurse and indeed nursed her own family through not only childhood illnesses of measles, mumps, and chicken pox, but the life threatening whooping cough, scarlet fever, small pox, typhoid and the influenza epidemic, as well. Velma survived these illnesses and matured in to a beautiful young woman with black curly hair.

She caught the eye and captured the heart of Barto Bleeker Wade and they were married September 26, 1926 in Hartford, Arkansas. They continued the same farming of their parents in Le Flore County. They raised two daughters and two sons; Billie Leona (Davis); Bleeker Basil; Joyce Louise (Lassiter); and Ronald Lee Wade. A fifth baby, James Ray lived only 12 hours. Together, Barto and Velma struggled to raise their family during the harsh depression. Barto also worked on the WPA program in LeFlore County. In the early 1940’s they moved to Henryetta, OK, where Barto worked at Eagle Pitcher Smelter until he retired in 1965. Velma never worked outside her home, instead enjoyed making a lively home for her family. She loved to crochet and sewed beautifully, making garments by creating her own patterns. She was a wonderful housekeeper and cook, and a very talented gardener. She and Barto took great pride in their vegetable gardens. Barto always said she was the prettiest woman her ever saw and enjoyed surprising her with jewelry and other gifts he knew she would enjoy. She has always deeply loved her family. Her husband Barto, son Bleeker and daughter Joyce have all died, leaving only daughter Billie and a son Ronald, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren.

Services will be 2:00pm, Friday, February 22, 2008 at the Rogers Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the Davis Family Cemetery west of Henryetta.