Velma Lee Malone, (lovingly nicknamed “Lil’ Bae” by her family) 79, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, passed away on November 26, 2025, after a long illness.

Born on December 3, 1945, in Selma, Alabama, to Queen Ester and Jesse Hatcher, Velma grew up in Birmingham Alabama, with a quiet strength that would define her life. After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she met her future husband, Thomas Malone. Though not naturally adventurous, Velma took a bold step in 1965 when she moved to New York City. During her time there, she worked at a hospital in Nassau County and welcomed her daughter and only child, Velisa.

Velma later returned to Cleveland, where she worked at Richmond Brothers before beginning a career at Cleveland Trust Bank (now KeyCorp). She remained there for more than 40 years until her retirement, a testament to her dedication and perseverance.

Velma’s personality was gentle and reserved, but never passive. Her sister once said, “She was quiet…we hardly knew she was there.” Yet Velma’s silence was her strength. She observed, listened, and understood people in ways that others often missed. She could anticipate what someone needed before they asked, and she offered help with grace and without expectation. Her soft voice carried a firm resolve—when Velma decided to do something, she did it. She was independent, creative, kind, and loving, and those who truly knew her discovered a woman full of humor, resilience, and quiet wisdom.

In 2021, Velma moved in with her daughter and son-in-law, where her creativity flourished. She immersed herself in DIY projects, developed a love for power tools, and never believed in throwing away anything that still had value or that she could repurpose. She and her daughter would visit garage sales and go thrift shopping. Her granddaughter Briana affectionately and jokingly called her an “organized hoarder”. Velma loved being outdoors working on landscaping projects. Even mowing the lawn became her form of exercise, a task she embraced with determination week after week.