Died peacefully at home with her family joining her soul mate, Druel Parker, in eternal rest on May 20, 2024.

Velma, known as Letha in her childhood years, was born at home on April 5, 1932, living through the Great Depression and the attack on Pearl Harbor where her brothers were stationed on December 7, 1941. She enlisted in the Women's Army Corps (WAC - later incorporated into the US Army) in 1950 and served in Japan as a clerk/typist for General Mark Clark during the Korean War. After her honorable discharge from the WAC, she worked as a secretary for the Joliet Arsenal, an aide at St. Joseph's Hospital, and a Licensed Practical Nurse at Silver Cross Hospital. She met Druel at National Cleaners Laundromat in 1970. They purchased their first laundromat at 824 Collins Street in 1976 which they named Parker's Laundromat. They added a dry-cleaners on Collins Street, and laundromats on Cass Street, Washington Street and Woodruff Road. They operated the laundromats on Collins Street, Cass Street and Washington Street until Druel's death in 2000. Thereafter, she ran the laundromats with their children, Druella and Allen, until 2007 when she retired. After her retirement, she became an avid reader enjoying mysteries and romances. Her favorite author, Brittney Sahin, used Velma's name in one of her books and dedicated a book to her.

Velma is survived by her children Druel Allen (Maggie) Parker, Druella Parker, Alise (Greg Camacho) Maldonado, Scott Archey, Denielle Archey, Sharon (John) Hernandez, Carl Archey and Greg McCalla. Her step-children Druel Parker, Jr., Darlene May, Deboraha Parker, Pat Vann and Rodney (Phyllis) Parker. Her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren from her children and step-children. Devoted nephew David J. Fiday, devoted cousin, Helen (Buttons) Sexton and numerous nieces, nephews , cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Druel Parker, her son Wayman Archey, her step-daughter LeJoyce Parker, her parents Hobart and Goldie (nee Noirfalise) McCalla. Her sister and her husband Vera (Jay) Fiday, her brothers Vincent McCalla and Kenneth McCalla and her husband's siblings.

Velma's family would like to extend special thanks to her care team with Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care as they were truly heaven-sent. Velma's family has been moved by all the message from people about how much she impacted their lives. She will be missed by many.

At Velma's request, private cremation services were held at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Honor Flight Chicago, 9701 W. Higgins Road, Suite 310, Rosemont, IL 60018-4703 in memory of Velma's military service or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 in memory of Druel, her husband.