Velma Inez Prentice

Velma Inez (Turner) Prentice, 85, of Buffalo Gap, TX, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 25, 2021. She was surrounded by those she loved most in the home her and Pete built and raised their family in for the past 54 years.

Velma was born in Merkel, TX, to Paul Turner and Zena (McGuffey) Turner on December 24, 1935. She graduated from Wylie High School in Abilene, TX, in 1954. She married her high school sweetheart, Melvin Ray “Pete” Prentice, on December 23, 1954 and went on to have and raise 2 sons, Larry Dale and Michael Ross. She worked as the City Secretary for the Town of Buffalo Gap for 60 years serving the community she loved so much. She enjoyed having her home filled with those she loved most, drinking Dr. Pepper daily, watching her favorite country music videos, sharing everything she ate with her grandpup Dixon, watching her granddaughter Maycen paint projects, and fishing with her sweetheart. Velma was one hell of a woman and always spoke her mind; she wasn’t known for sugar coating her opinions, she would always tell you exactly what she was thinking and if she didn’t like you then you’d know because she’d tell you. She raised a beautiful family and worked hard for everything she had, and always did anything and everything she could to help those in need but never would take any credit for it. She was humble, kind, good, sweet, and precious. 

Velma is survived by her two younger sisters, Pauline Barbian of Grand Prairie, TX and Bessie McCurdy of Ovalo, TX; both sons, Larry and wife Leslie of Tuscola, Mike and Regina also of Tuscola; grandchildren Lanny and wife Amber, Laressa, Kayla, Briar, Maycen and fiancé Cory, and London, and several great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews and other various family members. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Melvin Ray “Pete” Prentice, her parents Paul and Zena Turner, brother James “Shorty” Turner, and sister Marie Seabourne. 

Graveside service will be held at Buffalo Gap Cemetery in Buffalo Gap, TX, on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 2:00pm with TG Rose officiating. Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, on Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 5:00pm-7:00pm.