Obituary of Velma Fralin Dulaney

Velma Fralin Hudson Dulaney, 95, of Roanoke went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, October 11, 2016. She was born in Roanoke, Virginia on March 3,1921 a daughter of the late John Riley and Nannie Grubb Fralin. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husbands, John Henry Hudson, Jr.( whom she married July 20, 1942) and (John Wallace Dulaney a World War II veteran whom she married November 16, 1962), a sister Ruth Fralin Bower, brothers-in-law, Ira J. Bower, Floyd Tuthill, Carlton James, William Lee Dulaney, and sister-in-law, Gertrude Dulaney Tuthill. She is survived by her son, who is her pride and joy, John Michael Hudson Dulaney, who was a first line manager on the space shuttle. It would be impossible to love anyone more than she loved her son. She is also survived by her sister, Constance (Connie) Fralin James of Colonial Heights. Among her other close survivors are, Wanda Ruth Bower Huff, Charlotte Anne Bower Bibb, Carla James Hamm; sisters-in-law, Doris Hutton Dulaney and Mary Dulaney. Velma had many friends and was loved by everyone she met. Her aim in life was to leave the world a better place than when she arrived. She became a Christian at a very early age, having been baptized in a creek, to become a member of Cave Spring Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher as well as other capacities in the church. Having led her husband to Christ, John Hudson (Buck) became a junior Deacon at Cave Spring Baptist, he died December 30, 1955, at age 38, he served in World War II for three years. Velma is currently a member of Oakland Baptist Church. Velma was very talented and made many gifts for her friends and family. She served as a judge in the Arts and Crafts at Historic Fincastle. She was educated in the Roanoke County Schools, attended Roanoke College, National Business College, and graduated from Mosely-Flint Real Estate School. She was employed as Chief Clerk in the Tire Fabric Department at American Viscose Corp, at Roanoke City Schools as Senior Administrator and Secretary to the School Board, and retired from the IBM Corporation after 15 years of service as a senior administration specialist. After retirement , Velma volunteered at the Salvation Army for more than 20 years. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2016 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by the Rev. Scott Hamilton.Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707