Velma Bernice Nealy was born on August 22, 1929, in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Percy Henry Ray and Nellie Mae (Swank) Gardner and passed away on November 13, 2022, in Gilroy, California at the age of 93 years, 2 months and 22 days.

Velma worked as a pediatric nurse for 18 years. On December 5, 1987, she was united in marriage to John H. "Chub" Nealy at Zion Lutheran Church in Garland, Nebraska. After Chub passed away in 2001, she moved to California to be closer to her children. Velma enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers.

A private graveside was held at Germantown Cemetery in Garland.