Velma Jeanne (Nichols) Bailey, 74, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted and loved wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She was born on August 3, 1934, to Evelyn Mangold Nichols and Tom Nichols in Evansville, Indiana, where she was raised. She was a graduate of Culver Elementary School and Bosse High School [1952].

In March of 1953, Frank and Velma met at the wedding of their friends, Ken and Kathryn. Velma was the maid of honor, Frank the best man. Their eyes met across the aisle, and it was love at first sight. A few vows and a couple of slices of wedding cake later, they were on their way to happily ever after. They married on July 3, 1952 in Cynthiana, Indiana. Frank and Velma have resided in Urbana, Illinois, State Collage, Pennsylvania, San Bernadino and San Jose, California and settled in Reno, Nevada in 1965. They celebrated their fifty-sixth anniversary in 2008.

Velma worked for many years as a loan processor at various banks. Her retirement years were spent as a gypsy. While technically Texans, she and husband, Frank have traveled all over the United States in a motor home. Some of her most exciting and memorable trips included grandson Michael. They had many adventures exploring zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and a journey to discover dinosaur origins.

Velma is survived by her husband, Frank; their children and spouses, Jeff and Laurie Bailey, Cynthia and Bob Misanik, grandson, Michael Misanik; brother, Jerry Nichols from Evansville, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.