Velma Lee (Oliver) Bellinger, age 85, of Bauxite, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023.  She was born February 26, 1938 in Mt. Vernon, Arkansas to William Riley Oliver and Tommye Clarice (Maddox) Oliver.

Velma was predeceased by her parents; as well as her daughter, Linda (Fite) Cooley; brothers, Doug (Doris) Oliver and Jimmy Oliver; and a brother-in-law, Felix Childress.

She is survived by her husband, James Bellinger; daughter, Brenda Fite; grandchildren, Caitlyn Fite and Erik Whittaker; sister, Marilyn Childress of Bauxite; brothers, George (Ursulla) Oliver of Hot Springs and Tommy (Sharon) Oliver of Bauxite; step-son, Kevin (Tracy) Bellinger; step-daughters, Janis (Brandon) Travis and Robin (Clint) Bellinger; her step-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, & other family and friends.

Once her daughters began school, Velma began working as a professional seamstress, making "by order" drapes for Sears.  She used her seamstress talents to create many beautiful matching attires for her and her daughters as they traveled across the globe as a military family.  She began her second career as a successful cosmetologist, owning Velma's Trichology Salon in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and the City Cuts and Curls in Bauxite.  If you ever had a Velma hair service, you knew you had received the full treatment.  She loved gardening and was extremely crafty.  Velma could paint anything from furniture to fabric with a very artistic eye.

She was a great cook and could can the best homemade salsa around.  Velma married James in 2010 and they had many years of enjoying family, music, and taking care of each other.  She will be missed greatly by him and all of the family.

Pallbearers will be Randy Childress, Ron Oliver, Blake Childress, Shane Oliver, Carlton Brown, and Ron Nichols.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 17 at Ashby Funeral Home with services beginning at 2:00 p.m.   Burial will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Bauxite.  Pastor Rick Porter will be officiating.