On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Velma Willingham, our beloved mother, and grandmother, passed away in her sleep at the age of 92. She was born to Tony and Alice Buster in 1931 in Nacogdoches, Texas. Velma grew up on the family's farm.

Some years later, she met the love of her life, Jack, whom she later married. Velma and Jack relocated to San Diego where Jack was stationed while in the US Marine Corps, and this is where the family took root.

A fun and friendly woman, Velma easily made friends in her neighborhood. She joined a Bunco card group and occasionally hosted Bunco parties at her house. She also enjoyed crafts, such as creating and painting ceramics. However, her greatest joy, aside from her family, came from raising and showing Poodles at local dog shows.

Later in life, Velma battled dementia but never lost her vitality for life or her sense of humor. She cherished visits from her family, enjoyed sitting on the patio watching the birds sing, soaking up the sun, and relished the sweets her family would occasionally bring her, where she coined a new catchphrase: "I'll have another one!"

Velma will be dearly missed by all her family and is survived by her sisters Ruby Glover, Margaret Rowe and her brother Norman Buster as well as her children: Jack E. Willingham Jr., Jon Alan Willingham, and Tina Rae Galindo; grandchildren: Jenna, Marcus, Brandon, Shane, Hailey, Tyler, Parker, and Desiree; and great-grandchildren: Slater, Skylar, and Stella.

A memorial and inurnment will be held on January 17, 2024, at 11:30 am at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma California where she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband Jack.