Velma Louise (Scott) Gregory lived most of her life in Baca County, Colorado. The third  of nine children, she was born to Nettie (Poyner) and Sherman Scott on August 15, 1931, south of Walsh, Colorado.

Velma lived a busy, productive life. A life well lived. Most of her life was spent on a farm.  During her early childhood years, she experienced the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 30's. Perhaps this was when her indomitable spirit was formed. As a child, Velma and her siblings attended Boston School southwest of Walsh, a little more than a mile from their home. During World War II, a shortage of teachers forced the closures of schools, including Boston during her eighth grade year. The children were then bussed to Vilas School for a time. Velma would watch for the bus and race to the end of the driveway to beat the bus, so that the driver would not have to wait on her. She loved the challenge. Later, the children transferred to Walsh School where she attended until she graduated in 1949.

While Velma was attending high school, she met a tall, handsome guitar player, Odell Gregory. Odell and his brother Roy had come to Baca County to harvest broomcorn. Odell and Velma fell in love and married July 22, 1950 in Clayton, New Mexico.

The newlyweds started their married life in a rock house on the Sand Arroyo southwest of Walsh. Their children Danny, Dell and Debbie were born during this time. Seeking better fortune, they lived briefly in California, Las Vegas, Nevada, where Patty was born, and Colorado Springs for two years. While living in Colorado Springs, Velma loved the Garden of the Gods, and the family spent many Sunday afternoons visiting the spectacular formations.

Later, Odell and Velma made the decision to return to Baca County.  Odell worked for Darrell Utt, and during this time, Vickie was born.  In 1962, they moved to the Red Ranch where they would live the rest of their lives. Their children Melaney, Denise and Allen were born in the following years. The family raised broomcorn for most of their married life. Velma stated, "I grew up in the middle of a broomcorn field, and my kids did too." The harvesting of broomcorn required Velma and her parents to cook and feed many workers in the long narrow cookhouse on the farm. The children grew up roller skating around the long table in the center of the cookhouse and still have a treasure trove of memories from this time. The broomcorn days in Baca County slowly faded due to lack of profitability and workforce, and by 1977, Odell and Velma raised their last broomcorn crop. In her last years of life, Alzheimers stole many things from her memory, but, "One day, Mom and  I cooked for a hundred men down in that cookhouse," was not one of them.

In 1981, Odell died unexpectedly from a heart attack. With three teenagers still at home and one in college, Velma suddenly had many difficult days to face. Her children witnessed their mother's invincible spirit as she kept the farm running while raising the children at home. Dell, Dan and Allen helped her farm so that she could live on the farm the rest of her life, the only place she ever wanted to live. Velma loved driving tractors and grain trucks. She hauled many bushels of milo to the Vilas grain elevators. One of the elevator workers named her the Milo Queen.

Velma spent much of her life helping others, including her grandma Molly and many family members throughout her years. She was a lifetime safe haven to her kids, grandkids, and siblings. In her later years, she helped care for her brother Melvin and sister Sheila. Her children and grandchildren knew she was their greatest defender and best supporter. Whatever the event, she would be present for her family. Her beautiful character manifested itself in many ways. Velma was a person who was content, unselfish, loving, and ever hopeful. Whether she had a cold or was recovering from one of her many health related events, when asked how she was doing, she inevitably replied, "I think I'm doing better."

A member of the Walsh Wesleyan Church, Velma faithfully taught Sunday School for many years to primary and early elementary children. Several of her own grandchildren had the privilege of being her students. She also served on the church board and was actively involved in the Wesleyan Women's group. Velma loved her church and the many people who attended throughout the years.

Velma enjoyed numerous activities and hobbies: gardening, crocheting, and playing cards and games with her family. Velma crocheted and made dolls for her daughters, granddaughters and many family members, something they all treasure. She cooked for a lifetime, and was well known for her cinnamon rolls, meringue pies, and fried chicken. She greatly enjoyed cooking for the Vilas School for a few years after the loss of Odell. Velma made cooking  for a large family or group seem effortless, and even later in life when unable to cook any longer, during harvest and planting, she still would say, "I need to get home and cook for my boys."

During the last 30 years of her life, Velma's family witnessed the amazing strength and grace of their mother as her health declined. In her early sixties, doctors discovered that she had been born with a hole in her heart and performed surgery to repair her heart,  She was later diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes; macular degeneration, spinal stenosis, and sadly Alzheimer's disease. All her health issues might have changed her life, but not her spirit. She kept her spunky spirit through it all. When told she was doing well, she might just respond, "And watch this!", at the same time attempt to kick her foot up to touch her hand. Even in her very last days of life, Dell told her he was sorry that she had so much pain, to which she managed to respond, "I am a tough old bird."

Velma passed from this earth to meet her Savior Jesus on October 12, 2020 at the age of 89.

Preceding her in death are her parents Nettie (Poyner) and Sherman Scott; all of her siblings:  Lucy Blundell, Elmer (Corky), LaDean Scott, Melvin, Leslie, Calvin, Ruthie Lamer, and Sheila; her husband Odell, grandson Dallas Campbell, and granddaughter-in-law, Cassie (Freed) Brooks.

Surviving Velma are all eight children: Dan (Julie) Gregory of Corrales, NM; Dell Gregory of Walsh, CO; Debbie Hull (Dave Widhalm) of Hayden, CO; Patty (Bill) Brooks of Walsh, CO; Vickie Rife (Ron Greenlee) of Springfield, CO; Melaney (Dave) Campbell of Walsh, CO; Denise Voegele of Dodge, ND; Allen (Julia) of Highlands Ranch, CO.

Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren: Bill (Liz) Gregory of Corrales, NM; Brent (Ellen) Gregory of Parker, CO; Diane (Tyler) White of  Steamboat Springs, CO; Chris Hull of Hayden, CO; Ginger (Garnett) Hartman of Lakin, KS; Brian Brooks of Walsh, CO; Michael (Jolynn) Brooks of Walsh, CO; Nick (Charley) Rife of Vilas, CO; Heather (Chris) Calzonetti of Garden City, KS; Alexis (Hunter) Haney of Ulysses, KS; Dustin (Chawna) Voegele of Halliday, ND; Annie Voegele of Seattle, WA; Jaime (Lisa) Ripple of Castle Rock, CO; Colton Gregory of Highlands Ranch, CO.

Velma leaves sixteen great grandsons and three great granddaughters: Jacob Gregory, Kaden and Ethan White, Justin Tate, Kyle and Kade Hartman, Hayden and Ty Brooks, Waylon, Townes, and Statler Rife, Dallas and Navaeh Calzonetti, Kaceton Haney, Devin and Lily Voegele, and Chris, Rider, Michael, and Emma Ripple.