On June 29, 1937, Velma Wiggins Denson, affectionately known as "Soul" or "Shorty" was born in Pensacola, Florida; there she attended Booker T. Washington High School. She later moved to Miami Florida where she raised her children, Velma Yvonne and Noel "Butch" Eddie Newman. Velma was employed by Mt. Sinai Medical Center for over 30 years before retiring to care for her ailing mother, Katie Mae Burch. Velma loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She enjoyed talking about the "good ole days", her travels across the country, and her life experiences while living in California, Puerto Rico and on Eglin Air Force Base with her then husband Mr. Fred H. Penermon.

Her hobbies included: fishing, photography, traveling, watching "good" movies and caring for her fish and her dogs (Majin, Patches and Muffin). They gave her great joy! She especially enjoyed her annual trips to Louisville, Kentucky where she would visit her grand and great grandchildren and enjoy the festivities of the Kentucky Derby. Velma and Sadie (Aunt Doll), her ride or die best friend and confidant had many excursions together. They toured the country together from Colorado to Key West. She also enjoyed attending church services, gospel musical programs and playing her red or white tambourine in church. She was a member of Faith Temple True Holiness Church in Miami, FL; after moving to Tallahassee, Florida, she joined Mt. Moriah Church of God in Unity. As requested in her prayers, "Lord, receive me into your loving arms", On July 4th, 2021, at around 12:20 am, Velma received her divine independence from her earthen vessel as she transitioned to the bosom of her heavenly father.

Those left behind to cherish her memories and undying love include: her daughter and son-in-law Velma Yvonne and Christopher Stevens; her grandchildren, Michael Newman, Stacy Newman both of Louisville, KY, Shereka Scott, Latoya Stevens, Christopher Stevens Jr., and Kelvin Stevens all of Tallahassee, FL, Gertrina Timmons, Katria Harper, and Calen Girtman all of Winter Haven, FL, Kayla Newman of Chicago, Illinois, and Katelyn (Marquis) Shackelford of Melbourne, FL; five brothers; Sam Howard and Joel (Trellany) Howard both of Miami, FL, Allen (Jean) Wiggins of Newberry FL, Otis Wiggins of Archer, FL and Little Jeff(Tonya) Wiggins of North Carolina; eight sisters; Bertha Howard of West Palm Beach, FL, Shirley (Herbie) Franklin, Joyce Hall and Mildred Mack all of Miami, FL, Lula (William) Jones, Ocala, FL, Judie (Earl) Hollins of Daytona Beach, FL, Ann Wiggins of Williston, FL and Josephine (Harold) Brown of Alachua, FL; her "adopted" daughter, Jacqueline Garner and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, extended and church family members.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Mr. Jeff Wiggins and Katie Mae "Mama" Burch; her beloved son, Noel "Butch" Eddie Newman; her dear aunt, Sadie B. Hercules; her sisters; Anne (Bell) Wiggins, Mattie Jo Wiggins, and Linda Faye Howard; her brothers Robert Earl Howard, Terry Howard, Thomas (Louise) Wiggins; her sister-in-law, Idella Wiggins; her brother-in-law, Willie Howard; and her dear friend and fishing partner Janie Bell Woody (aka Woody).