Velma Billingsley

Velma Verlee (Hummel) Billingsley, age 92, passed away at her daughter’s home in Lowell, Iowa, on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Velma was the daughter of George Decatur (Dee) and Muriel Long Hummell and a lifelong resident of Mount Pleasant. She married Raymond Billingsley on December 13, 1952, in Mount Pleasant, they were married for 57 years. Together they raised their children Deanna, Julie, Johanna, and Darren on the family farm west of Mount Pleasant.

Velma was a loving mom who was very patient with her children and grandchildren. One of her greatest gifts was passing on her knowledge of cooking, canning, sewing, and life skills in general. Velma knew Jesus as her personal savior and made sure her children went to church. She was a very early member of Calvary Baptist Church on Green Street in Mount Pleasant and was involved in working to create the new church building on Mapleleaf Drive. Velma taught Sunday school and helped other church ladies with church social family functions.

A favorite topic was working at STAATS as a secretary, before becoming a mother. Later years saw her working at Voss Petroleum and Iowa Wesleyan College. Velma did enjoy the secretarial jobs and had good memories of them.

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, a granddaughter Iris Billingsley, her parents, and nine brothers and sisters.

Velma is survived by her children Deanna (Marty) Wellman of Weaver, Iowa, Julie (Dave) Schneider of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Johanna (Richard) Doggett of Lowell, Iowa, and Darren (Bibiana) Billingsley of Fairbanks, Alaska; 9 grandchildren Tim Wiley, Josh Wiley, Brandon Wiley, Justin Wellman, Elise Swanson, Megan Schneider, Hannah Lennie, Hayden Chapman Jared Billingsley; 12 great grandchildren; and brother Kenneth (Karen) Hummell of Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Calvary Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 until the time of service. Burial will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Calvary Baptist Church. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Velma and her family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com