VELMA H. WILSON
April 16, 1934 — May 2, 2021
Our beautiful Mother was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 2, 2021. She passed peacefully in her sleep and died of natural causes at the age of 87.
Velma was born on April 16, 1934 to her parents, Daniel and Margaret Dinsmore, joining an older brother Stanley. Mom began her journey in Downey, California being delivered by the family Chiropractor!
She graduated Downey High School in 1952. The next fall she went to Fullerton College for a year and studied preliminary courses to becoming an Occupational Therapist. She then transferred to San Jose State College, where she continued her studies for 3 more years. Mom graduated in June of 1956 with a Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy. She then completed a year of clinical training. In the fall of 1957 she started an internship at May T. Morrison Rehabilitation Center in San Mateo.
In her first year at San Jose State College she met her future husband, Jason Wilson, through her sorority at the First Methodist Church Wesley Foundation. They worked together in the kitchen during social events. They enjoyed dancing at the Spring Dance in Saratoga. During the summer break, mom went home to Downey. Dad drove down to visit her and wrote her every day. We still have those letters. They continued to date for about a year until Dad decided he wanted to get engaged for Valentine’s Day. He staged a drawing for “Sweetheart of the Year”. The MC was in on the surprise and asked dad to draw a name out of the bowl … all the while knowing that all the slips of paper were blank (ha). Dad had a heart shaped box of candy and started walking around the circle of girls to choose the winner. He stopped in front of mom, gave her the candy box she won, and asked her to open it. In the middle was a jewelry box with an engagement ring. Mom grabbed the ring, threw the box over her shoulder, and excitedly put the ring on her finger. Dad knew she “accepted” his proposal! They were married the following June 25, 1955 in Downey.
Mom and Dad lived with his parents while they finished college. They were both working while going to school. They moved in to their first home in San Jose, soon after their first child, Barbara, was born in October 1958. The family moved to Stockton in the summer of 1959 and dad went to work for Stockton Unified School District as a groundskeeper. Their 2nd child, Daniel, was born in June of 1960 and three years later, Kevin was born in June of 1963. Mom went back to work part time in 1966 as an Occupational Therapist.
The family moved around for a couple years and finally came to Lodi. Later on in 1972, Mom went back to school to become a Medical Insurance Biller. She continued as an Insurance Biller, working for a couple of different doctors until her retirement in 1999 at the age of 65.
Throughout her life she was an avid reader, often checking out 5 or 6 books from the local library and reading them in a couple weeks. She also was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed embroidering. She made quilts, tea towels, table cloths, pictures, pillow cases; all embroidered beautifully. Over the years her love of animals never wavered. She had several cats that she pampered and loved. She loved attending church and fellowshipping with her brothers and sisters in Christ.
Velma was preceded in death by her husband of over 55 years, Jason Wilson; one brother, Stanley Dinsmore; her parents, Daniel and Margaret Dinsmore; and one grandson, Charlie Wilson.
She is survived by 3 children, Barbara Portal (Ron), Dan Wilson (Lien) and Kevin Wilson (Melody); 13 grandchildren, Athena, Cris, Robert, Tim, Adam, Bryan, Ethan, Jason, Emily, Nathan, Ashleigh, Morranda, and Natasha; 16 greatgrandchildren, Sabrina, Tabitha, Caleb, Tobias, Zach, Shaun, Vincent, Caylie, Delilah, Jerrick, Aryan, Madison, Hayley, Logan, Michael, Milo and 2 more on the way; one greatgreat-grandson, Graysan; as well as many nieces, nephews and beloved friends.
Our Mom has cast off her earthly body and the fog of dementia and rejoined our Dad, where she is singing and dancing and laughing again. She has not left us behind, she is just ahead of us. Until we meet again.
We would like to thank the staff at Wine Country/ Lodi Creek Post-Acute for their 9 plus years of amazing care for our mother and grandmother.
There will be a celebration of life for Velma Wilson on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., Lockeford Missionary Baptist Church, 11011 E. Highway 12, Lockeford, CA 95237. Lunch will be provided afterward.
Please sign the guest book at lodinews.com/guestbook.