Ford, Velma 1932-2025 Kansas City, Mo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Velma “Loretta” Ford, 93, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. She was born on Aug. 24, 1932, in St. Joseph, the daughter of the late Cloyetta and Roy Shipley.

She was preceded in death by husband, Raymond; parents; and a sister, Virginia McElroy.

Survivors include four daughters, Denise Brown, Pamela Spiek, Kelly Bowen, and Michelle Van Dyke; brother, Edward Shipley; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services and a public livestream were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at the Rupp Funeral Home. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are requested to the American Cancer Society. Full obituary, online condolences and the public livestream can be found at www.ruppfuneral.com As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.