Ms. Velma J. Douglas' Obituary
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" - Psalm 23:6
Ms. Velma J. Douglas entered her heavenly home on October 23, 2023.
Born in Galveston, Texas to Rev. Ewing and Lue Ella Harris, on October 20, 1942, Velma was the youngest of five children. Like her siblings, she attended Central High School, part of Galveston Independent School District. Central School was established in 1885 as the first Texas school for African American students, and it was renamed Central High School in 1886. During her matriculation at Central High School, she was a proud member of the Top Hatters, the school’s all black drill team. Velma was no shrinking violet. She participated in the 1960 desegregation movement that included lunch counter sit-ins, as well as protests at theaters and restaurants in the Galveston area.
Upon completing high school in 1961, Velma’s pursuit of higher educational opportunities took her to two HBCUs: Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Following her time at Texas Southern University, she enrolled in and graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Vocational Nursing, becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1964. She began her career at Ben Taub General Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas. Her scholarly pursuits led her to attend and graduate from the Sacred Heart Dominican College School of Nursing, in Houston, Texas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1974. After becoming a registered nurse, she continued her career at M. D. Anderson Hospital, Martin Luther King Community Health Center, Methodist Hospital, and Harris County Psychiatric Center in Houston, Texas, to name a few. Additionally, she obtained certifications for Nursing Home Administrators (1987), Harris County Psychiatric Nurse Internship Program (1987) and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (1995). During her 56-year nursing profession, she dedicated 40 years to working as a psychiatric nurse.
On June 26, 1965, she married Samuel Buford Douglas and to this union two wonderful children were born, Samuel Buford “Chuck” Douglas II and Cheryl Lynn Douglas. While the union dissolved, she and Samuel remained dedicated parents and later grandparents.
At an early age, Velma accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior under the spiritual guidance of her father at Spiritual True Church in Galveston, Texas. She was a devoted member of the Metropolitan CME Church, which initially was located in Houston’s Third Ward area on Holman Street before relocating to Cullen Boulevard in 1969. Under the guidance of Rev. Paul Young and Rev. Dr. R.L. Finney, she remained an active participant in the church. She then transitioned her membership to Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C.L. Jackson. In January 2009, she joined Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Marcus D. Cosby. Sister Douglas was gifted with the ability of song, and she shared her voice amongst voices. She served as a member of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, under the leadership of V. Michael McKay, and at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church as a member of the Unity Choir, under the leadership of Leon C. Lewis.
Amongst her many interests, she was a faithful and active member of the MacGregor Palm Terrace Neighborhood Association, and her passions included shopping, traveling, fishing, and gardening, but her greatest joy came from family gatherings. Her 80th birthday celebration in October 2022 was a memorable event, during which she received a City of Houston Proclamation signed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and a United States flag from the Honorable Al Green that was flown over the United States Capital. Additionally, she was an avid collegiate football fan and held the distinction of being a devoted inaugural season ticket holder for the Houston Texans.
Velma entered eternal and peaceful rest on Monday, October 23, 2023. An admirable and blessed life had come to its final call, and God opened His comforting arms to allow her to join Him in her new heavenly home. She was a good wife, an exceptional mother, a great grandmother, sibling, relative, friend and colleague to many.
Velma will be in the presence of family members who preceded her in death: her parents, Rev. Ewing and Lue Ella Harris; three sisters, Eura Vernedia Jones, Nettie Marie Harris, and Ursulee Bobino; and her only brother, John M. Harris. She leaves behind her children, son, Samuel Buford “Chuck “Douglas II (Krishelle) of Missouri City, Texas; daughter, Cheryl L. Douglas of Rosharon, Texas; bonus daughter, Ashley Calhoun (Matthew) of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren, Kyla and Caleb Douglas and Harper Calhoun; long time best friend, Delores Houston of Katy, Texas, dear relatives and friends, and many who embraced her as a beloved mother figure.
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