Velma Graham (1930-2021)

GRAHAM, DUFFIELD, NELSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 09:16:52

Velma Graham, 91, of Bettendorf, Iowa, formerly of Moline, Illinois, died Wednesday, May 12, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation, memorial service, and luncheon will tentatively be held on September 18, 2021. Burial will be in both Muscatine County Memorial Park and Eliza Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to World Vision, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Global Orphan Project.

Velma Grace Duffield was born March 28, 1930, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Harry Nelson and Ruby Owella (Atkins) Duffield. She married Lloyd (Jack) Noble in 1946, they were later divorced. She married James Graham on October 11, 1986, in Moline. Velma received her Master of Art Degree from Marycrest College in 1977. In 1980, Velma earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Northern Illinois University. During her career, she taught in several grade schools in the Westmer and Geneseo School Districts, served as a school administrator in the East Moline School District, and retired as an administrator from the Mansfield, Illinois, School District in 1985.

She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities. Velma loved children and teaching at all grade levels. She established several remedial learning programs that opened up the world of reading to many children who otherwise may have been left behind. She continued tutoring for several years after retiring. Her other interests included art, travel, reading and getting together with family. She was a perpetual student with a lifelong love of learning.

Velma is survived by husband Jim, two children, Valerie Gallagher and husband Duke of San Clemente, CA, and David Noble and wife Connie Cameron of Coe Hill, ON, Canada; stepchildren, Marilyn Graham of Wheaton, IL, and Charles Graham and wife Ellen of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by siblings, Myles Duffield of Clovis NM, Donna Lentocha and Lorinda Schmelzer, both of Muscatine IA, three grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a stepson, Rev. Michael Graham, grandson George Graham, and siblings; Harry Duffield, Sophia McDonald, and Lillian Proffit.

Velma’s family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.