Velma was born on March 9, 1935 in Opelousas, La to the late Leonard and Alberta Chavis. She married the late Joseph Eugene Brown on November 29, 1952 and together they had seven children. Clara Coleman, Larry Brown, James Brown Sr. (Cynthia), David Brown, (Jeanette), Janice Marshall, and Leonard Brown (Yuavanka), all of Lake Charles and Beverly Brown of Houston, Texas. She had 13 grand children and 14 great grand children. Velma was self employed for over 50 years until she retired in 2006. She extended her kindness by helping take care of several of her nieces and nephews, and was loved by many.