ROBY, Velma Lorene (Glazier) - b. May 30, 1921 - d. November 20, 2019

[patyrn]

Velma Lorene Roby, age 98, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away November 20, 2019 at the Journey Home in Bartlesville.  She was born May 30, 1921 in Moline, Kansas to Harvey and Nettie (Stiles) Glazier.

Velma grew up in Moline following her two much older brothers, Lewis and Vernie, and a slightly older brother, Bruce.  All four graduated from Moline High School.  After high school, Velma attended business college in Miami, Oklahoma in preparation for going to Washington D. C. 

Velma arrived in Washington D. C. in the summer of 1941 as a new clerical hire of the War Department.  When the news came of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she and her new friends went to view the Japaneses Embassy and were able to see the burning of records there before the Embassy was evacuated.  Later, she was chosen as one of the first seven thousand War Department employees to transfer to the nearly completed and massive Pentagon.

After years of dating, Velma married Jack Roby in Mineral Walls, Texas on September 22, 1943 where he was stationed at Camp Walters.  Their only child, Bruce, was born there in August 1945, and Jack was discharged from the military in December 1945.

Velma and Jack immediately returned to Jack's hometown, Pittsburg, Kansas until Jack was hired by the Sherwood Construction Company in Independence, Kansas.  In 1956, they bought the King Apartments in Independence which they owned until 1970.  Later they bought and operated the Credit Bureau of Tucumcari, New Mexico.  Jack died from a fall in 1983.  Velma continued to operate the bureau there for a few more years and also served as president of the local Women's Methodist Association.  After later selling the credit bureau, she retired to Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

In Tucumcari and Bartlesville, Velma expanded her mostly self-taught painting talents to add painting of cards, shirts, and miniature canvases for gifts and requests of family and friends.  Hundreds of people have enjoyed her works.

Velma is survived by her son, Bruce (Charlene) Roby of Topeka, Kansas; granddaughter, Allison (Jeff) Folger of Topeka, Kansas; grandson, David (Jennifer) Roby of Arlington, Virginia; great-grandchildren, Marcus and Simon Folger of Topeka, Kansas and Madeleine Roby of Arlington, Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack; and her brothers, Vernie Glazier, Lewis Glazier, and Bruce Glazier.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas.  Visitation will be held for 30 minutes prior to the service.  Burial following the service will be held at the Moline Cemetery in Moline, Kansas.  Memorial contributions in Velma's name can be made to the Journey Home Hospice, 900 Washington Boulevard, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006. 

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)