Velma Denham

Velma Mae (Burgin) Denham left her earthly home on March 6, 2016; and is now dancing with her late husband, Joe G. Denham Jr. in heaven. She was born to Hillery M. and Lula J. Burgin on May 31, 1923 in Stringtown, Oklahoma. During her early childhood, she moved frequently, following her dad who worked in the oilfields of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Since Mama didn't have any siblings, she would often talk about the many games she played with her pets. And how she developed her imagination by watching the different shapes the clouds would make.She married the love of her life on March 25, 1944. After several moves around the southern California area, they settled in Ramona, California. While raising five children, she enjoyed being a housewife, but eventually, took a job as a Rural Mail Carrier, which she loved. She drove about 200 miles daily while delivering the mail to approximately 450 families. When one of us kids would ride along with her, she would make up stories about the people who lived in a house, or she would talk about some prehistoric animal shape she could see in a clump of rocks or about Smokey the Bear as we drove past the forestry station. She was an avid baker and gardener. She could grow just about anything, anywhere and took great pride in her beautiful roses. She always wanted to become a writer and over the years we would often find little snippets of a story or event she thought would make a good short story or book. She loved Jesus; some of our fondest memories of her were when she was praying, singing or whistling hymns, or reading the bible. She loved listening to jazz, classical and old style country/western music; and often seen dancing around the house while doing her chores. She loved to travel and while on a car trip Velma and Joe fell in love with the blue bonnets of the Texas Hill Country. In 1982, they moved to Llano Texas. She worked at several retail stores around town and gardened. She was a volunteer at Llano Memorial Hospital, a member of the Order of Eastern Star and attended Grace Baptist Church in Kingsland.She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years and her parents. She is survived by daughters, Val Dean Dewhirst, Jennibelle Denham and Marrijane Steelman/ husband Michael all of Llano; sons, Joe H. Denham of Harker Heights, Texas and Joe G. Denham III/wife Gabby of Alpine, Texas; As well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.Velma will be missed by all who knew her. She had a quirky sense of humor, beautiful laugh and was never afraid to tell you exactly what was on her mind. A graveside ceremony was held on March 8, 2016 at the Llano City Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Jeff Davis.

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