Velta passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on October 21, 2010. She was born to Joseph and Minnie Blades on June 10, 1919, near Union City in Stone County. In her early years she was known as Snooks. She married Clement T. Gray (Red) in 1954. Widowed, she married Laverne A. Copeland in 1997. She was a member of Grace Assembly of God. A graveside service will be held in the National Cemetery on Seminole St., Monday, October 25, 2010, at 11 a.m., under the direction of Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home. Reverend L. Jack Moore will be officiating. Velta will be missed by her many friends.