Velma L. Oden, First Lady of Bethel AME – Oxnard, Passes
December 22, 2016
Velma Lee Oden, first lady of Bethel AME Church in Oxnard, passed away December 11, following a long illness. She was 78 years old. A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, December 21, at 11 a.m. at Bethel AME Church, 855 S. F. Street in Oxnard. The final service takes place on Thursday, December 22, at 11 a.m. at Bryant Temple AME Church, 2525 W. Vernon Ave., in Los Angeles. Velma was born on October 25, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Henry and Leola Alexander. Raised in Oakland, California, she graduated from Castlemont High School and