Velma Jean Wilkerson Clary was born in 1914 in Gaffney, S. C. She graduated from Limestone College.
She married Wilburn Clary, a star football player at the University of South Carolina. He was hired to coach football and be superintendent at the Children’s Home in 1940, and they moved to Winston-Salem.
The Clarys became an important part of the Children’s Home as they taught and supported the children who lived there.
Velma Jean worked as a reporter for the Winston-Salem Journal and the Twin City Sentinel. She wrote about a variety of topics, many of which involved her children and their activities.
She was also active in the arts community, both in the theatre, symphony and operetta. She was awarded the Arts Council’s service award in 1959.
Velma Jean was a past-president of the Junior Woman’s Club and Wiley School PTA. And, she worked with the Girl Scouts.
Velma Jean passed away in 1991.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
