"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:25

Velma Jean Hilliard was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on February 7, 1945, to Calvin and Almeta (Garrison) Hilliard and the oldest of eight (8) siblings (Carrie Mae, Tommy Lee, Mary Joyce, Rena Yvonne, Jacquelyn Marie, Deborah Lynn, and Pamela).

Velma was a life-long member of Christian Baptist Church where she was raised in the church with her family, under the spiritual leadership of Dr. W. C. Clark, Rev. Al Stevens, Rev. Abbie Monroe and her current pastor, Rev. Edward Alexander, Jr., where now this celebration of life comes to an end.

Velma was united in holy matrimony to her childhood sweetheart Earnest L. Carter for 57 years.  To this beautiful union, God blessed them with a beautiful daughter.

She was a 1962 Graduate of W. O. Boston High School "Panthers", where she served as the Treasurer of Second Ward/W.O. Boston Alumni Association until her passing.  Velma furthered her education at McNeese State University where she graduated in 1968 with a Foreign Language Degree.  She taught Adult Education classes with the Gulf Assistance Organization and later retired from the State of Louisiana/Department of Social Services and Child Welfare.

Velma was also one of the original charter members of the Krewe De Classique in 1987 where she and Earnest served on the court and styled lavished costumes for numerous years.  She also became a member of the illustrious organization of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc of Beta Kappa Zeta Chapter in 1990 where she focused on Scholarship Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.  Velma also was a very active member of the Doretha Combre Business and Professional Women Organization since 1968.      Velma loved life, helping others, and dressing to a "T" from head to toe and in between.

As a new chapter in heaven opens, she joins her parents, Calvin and Almeta Hilliard; sisters, Carrie Mae, Mary Joyce, and Pamela along with other loving family members where the celebration of eternal life continues.

Velma leaves to celebrate her beautiful life, her loving soulmate of 57 years, Earnest L. Carter, their only daughter, Valerie Carter Jenkins (Reginald), their loving grandchildren, Valente' Monet Jenkins, Roman Devon Jenkins, and Desmond Haynes.  Her siblings, Tommy Lee (Lorraine) Thomas, Rena Yvonne Williams, Jacquelyn Hilliard (Gregory) Jubert, and Deborah Lynn Charles all of Lake Charles, LA; aunts; Mattie Williams,  Lillie (Noble) Steward and Carrie Mae (Roy) Williams, uncle, Charles (Ida) Rainey of Thibodeaux, LA.

Velma also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and loyal dear friends whom she loved, and that love was reciprocated until she departed this earth.

Diva Velma Jean Hilliard Carter would want us to keep her celebratory spirit alive, even in the mist of our heartache and pain.  God has a plan for us that is still in writing, just as God's plan that was determined for her, and we must continue to move on to read and see the writing ahead of us.  We will always have the memories shared with Velma, her loving husband, and family to cherish on in our hearts, souls, and mind.