Velma DeMyers (Lansing)

Mrs. Velma Doris (Holloway) DeMyers Went from labor to reward on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at University of Michigan Health Sparrow Lansing. Age 89 years. She was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi on Wednesday, May 22, 1935, the only daughter and second oldest of seven children to her loving parents, Henry and Evelyn (Washington) Holloway. She was affectionately referred to as “Sister” by her brothers and cousins. Velma’s oldest brother, Melvin gave her this name and he was known as “Brother”.

Velma accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and served at St. James Missionary Baptist Church throughout her childhood, where her grandfather served as Pastor. Velma loved the Lord and maintained a relationship with Christ into her adulthood. She continued her education in Hazlehurst, graduating from Parrish High School.

She and her brothers grew up with fond memories of growing up in a large Christian, loving family with extended family. These memories and stories were shared with her children and grandchildren. Serving the Lord was always the priority and provided the foundation for everything else in Velma’s life. After graduating high school, she followed her aunt Pope Dawson first to Chicago where they lived for a short time and where Velma acquired her administrative skills. Velma eventually settled in Lansing, Michigan with her aunt and uncle in 1955, where she united with Friendship Baptist Church remaining a faithful member for more than 65 years.

In 1958, Velma married Joseph DeMyers, and this union was blessed with three children, two daughters, Anita Michelle and Alesia Jo and son, Marcus Rico. The family fondly remembers family road trips during the summer and Christmas Holidays to Mississippi to visit Velma’s mother, grandmother, and other family. Velma was very proud of her children and grandchildren. They loved and adored her.

Velma had a sweet, compassionate and generous spirit and assisted with caregiving for family members and several friends. She also had a strong work ethic and began a very long career as an administrative assistant at Michigan State University in the Mathematics Department, finally retiring in 1999, after 30 years of service.

Based on her long affiliation with Michigan State University, Velma was unapologetically a diehard Spartan fan who rarely missed an opportunity to watch and cheer for her Spartans. Growing up in the Jim Crow South during a time when African Americans could not vote fueled a life-long commitment to participating in the political process and Velma always encouraged her family to vote at every opportunity.

Velma was very compassionate towards her fellow man and very passionate about her family. Velma assumed the role of Washington-Comas Family Matriarch after the passing of her Aunt Pope in 2004.

Velma was faithful in her service to the Lord and maintained life-long friendships through her church. She loved serving on the Usher Board, singing in the choir, and attending Sunday School at Friendship Baptist Church. When her health began to fail, she would listen to church services remotely to maintain her ongoing connection and continued to live in the word through her daily scripture readings and devotion.

She leaves to cherish her memory her three children, Anita M. DeMyers (James) Hatchel, Atlanta, Georgia, Alesia DeMyers (Reginald) Glenn, Ecorse, Michigan, and Marcus Rico DeMyers, Lansing, Michigan; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Alvin Henry (Suddie) Holloway, Las Vegas, Nevada, Marcel (Leticia) Holloway, Lansing, Michigan, and Gregory L. (April) Holloway, Hazlehurst, Mississippi; 2 special first cousins, Helen Wilson and Park Alice Thomas Williams; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Evelyn Holloway; three brothers, Melvin (Pearlie Mae) Hollaway, James Thomas Holloway, and Ernest Holloway.

I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV