VELMA BAYES BRADBURY

She was Mom and Mamaw, Sweetheart and Babe. Velma Bayes Bradbury spent her life nurturing, loving, and giving. 

Born Dec. 1, 1933, near Minford, Ohio to John Douglas Bayes and Sarah Lilvia Ross Bayes, she was the youngest of four siblings. On Sept. 21, 1952, Velma and Earl Dean Bradbury began their life together as husband and wife. Their 62 years of marriage produced seven children, 22 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. It also created a loving, happy home full of adventure, learning, and music. 

She was a quilter, a gardener, and a traveler. She was of the Baptist faith, a graduate of Minford High School, and a retiree from AT&T/Lucent. Above all, Velma valued time with her family, and instilled that important and lasting trait in her children and grandchildren. Velma passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2015, with Dean at her side. In addition to her parents, Velma was preceded in death by her oldest sister, Geneva Bayes Shoemaker Rucker.

She is survived by her sister Darlene Bayes Melvin Moore and her husband Bob Moore of Minford, her brother George Douglas Bayes and his wife Sally of Englewood, Fla., as well as her husband Dean, son Mark and his wife Paula (Spradlin) of Minford, son Kevin and his wife Barbara (Lapp) of Otway, son John and his wife Judy (Nichols) of Rock Spring, Ga., daughter Sarah and her husband Sam Wilder of Cincinnati, daughter Cathy Mullins of Lucasville, daughter Lorie and her husband Henry Blevins of Webbville, Ky., and son Bryan and his wife Rachel Anne (Lane) of Seattle, Wash. In addition, Velma's 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren live in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, California, Washington, and the Netherlands.

Private graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Madison Township Community Center, State Route 335, Minford, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations are made to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.