Velma Ann McGuire Stokes was December 21, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the sixth of seven children, to Lua Clayton McGuire and Thelma Josephine Herd McGuire. She died Friday, October 14, 2022, in Collinsville, Oklahoma, at the age of 79 years. Velma began her education attending Cherokee School in Turley, Oklahoma. The school held class for 4th to 9th grade, at which time she attended Tulsa Central High School her sophomore and junior years. For her senior year, Velma moved back with her sister and family to Owasso, Oklahoma, where she graduated with the Owasso High School Class of 1961. She also attended Lucille’s Beaty School in Collinsville, then worked in her sisters beauty shop after graduation.
Velma had always wanted to go into the military, so in 1961 she enlisted with the United States Army. This would be her first time to travel outside of Oklahoma and her first airplane ride as she was sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama. She was stationed here for eight weeks and was made Acting Sergeant for Basic Training. She was later sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia, and was chosen to go through Secret Service School, which is where she met her future husband, Stanley Stokes. After completing her Secret Service School, she was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland. She and Stanley were married on July 17, 1962 in the chapel at Fort Meade. She was discharged from the Army on July 27, 1962, as a Private in the Adjutant General Corp-Regular Army.
After her discharge, Velma moved back to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1970, Velma became active with the American Red Cross. She completed the Introduction to the Red Cross at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then the Senior course of instruction in Lifesaving and Water Safety. In 1973, she was authorized to teach American Red Cross courses in Beginner and Advanced Beginner Swimming in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1976, she completed the Standard First Air and Personal Safety course of instruction in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Through the years, Velma always came back to the Owasso area to be with family. She had been an active member of the Eta Mu Sorority. She had worked in the cafeteria at the Baptist Village in Owasso and later at Sequoyah Point Living Center.
Those she leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
Her daughter; Virginia LaFromboise and husband Joe
Granddaughter; Autumn Whitney
Three great granddaughters;
Brothers; Robert McGuire and Rollie McGuire
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Stanley, and siblings, Lua Clayton McGuire, Jr., Richard McGuire, Virginia Shadrick, and Roy McGuire.
She will be laid to rest at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
