Velma Whitley passed away suddenly, but peacefully, July 12, 2008, at age 82. Velma was born May 15, 1926, in Little Rock, Ark. She moved with her family to Los Angeles, where at age 16, she met a handsome sailor, Taz, who would be her future husband. They moved to the Peninsula in 1954 where they raised four children and enjoyed 63 years in a happy marriage until Taz's death just three months ago. She was a quiet, gentle, kind, and loving woman who will be deeply missed by her family. Velma was a homemaker, as well as a buyer for Leggett department stores and later a civil service clerk at Fort Eustis and the Norfolk Naval Base. She was a member of the First United Church of Christ, Hampton. She was a devoted member and Past Matron (1989-1990, 1993-1994) of the Order of the Eastern Star, Emera Chapter No. 31. She served as the Grand Representative to the Arizona Order of the Eastern Star (1995-1996). Velma is survived by her four children, Sue Bommer of Hampton, Tazewell Eley Whitley Jr. and his wife Rebecca Leigh of Chester, Clarence Edward "Eddie" Whitley and his wife Jo of Newport News and Judy Whitley Ganzert and her husband Don of Richmond; as well as six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother-in-law, Robert Joseph Whitley and his wife Jo of Williamsburg. Eastern Star rites will be performed at Peninsula Funeral Home Wednesday at 6 p.m. followed by a visitation with the family until 7:30 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Peninsula Memorial Park. Pastor Walter Kriner will officiate the service assisted by Pastor Bryan Cheever. The family will receive friends at the Newport News Church of the Nazarene, 29 Harpersville Road, immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the charity of your choice.