Velda Michele Scye's Obituary
Velda Michele Scye, 68, of Seaford DE was born Friday, March 9, 1956 in Columbia DE to Ernestine Barrymore Scye Brown and the late Daniel Cornish. After a battle with ovarian cancer, she went home to be with her Heavenly Father at TidalHealth-Seaford surrounded by family on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
She was the second of four children- Lionell Scye (deceased), Carla Scye and Dana Scye.
Velda attended Delmar High School (Class of 1974), Delaware State College (University) and graduated from Salisbury State College (University) with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.
Velda worked for Georgetown Community Action Agency and Playland in Ocean City, MD. Later she joined the Federal Government working for the Department of Treasury as a Revenue Officer. She retired from the federal government in 2013.
On January 25, 1977, Velda enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard and served faithfully as a weekend warrior. She was a 72E-Telecommunications Center Specialist. She was a member of Company A 280th Signal Battalion in Seaford DE, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 280th Signal Battalion in Georgetown DE and 261st Signal Brigade in Smyrna DE. She was promoted to Master Sergeant on April 11, 2001, and laterally promoted to First Sergeant at 261st Signal Brigade on April 1, 2005. She retired on January 24, 2008 with 31 years of service. At her retirement ceremony she was promoted to Sergeant Major.
She is the recipient of many awards and decorations: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Service Medal with gold hourglass and with M Device, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Number 3, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (3rd Award), Delaware National Guard Medal of Military Merit with Number 2, Delaware National Defense Service Ribbon with Number 2, and Delaware National Guard Medal.
Velda was a lifetime member of Mt. Nebo UMC in Delmar, DE. She sang on the church choir and was secretary of United Women of Faith, secretary of Trustee Board, member of Finance Committee, secretary of the Administrative Council and chairperson of the Charge Staff Pastor Relations Committee. As chairperson of the Outreach Committee, Velda not only delivered soup to the seniors and the home-bound in various communities, she always talked with them to bring some sunshine into their lives. She exemplified the true meaning of being a member of her church- she gave freely of her prayers, her time, her talents and her tithes. Not only was she a faithful supporter of Mt. Nebo, but she supported the local churches as well.
Velda cared deeply about her community and was very active in her community. She was a Code Purple volunteer who prepared meals for the homeless as well as staying overnight in shelters with homeless women. She was a member of the Sharptown-Columbia American Legion Post 269 since 2002 and the Auxiliary Unit since 2004, president of the Delaware National Guard Enlisted Association, Director Army and Chair of Area II Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, lifetime member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, member of the Thomas Elzey Polk Chapter of the Buffalo Soldier, chair of the 39th Democratic Representative District (Seaford/Blades), chair of Western Sussex Democratic Club, co-chair of the Democratic Committee 2024 Spring Dinner Fundraiser, and co-chair of the Annual 280th Signal Battalion Reunions. She always volunteered wherever she was needed.
Velda enjoyed traveling with her best friends Denise Burton, Ginger Speight, Pauline Wyatt and Willette Carter. She attended all the National Guard Enlisted Association Conferences that were held throughout the country. She loved jazz music- especially Trombone Shorty. She delighted in thrift store shopping and would always buy stuff because she said someone may need it. She would purchase something and say, "I have something for you. I saw this and thought of you." If you saw her out in any store shopping, you had to prepare yourself- because if she saw you, she would come talk to you for what seemed like forever. She loved to talk. Another of her favorite places to shop was Hallmark- she enjoyed purchasing cards and sending them out to family and friends. She loved spending time in the garden with her mother- planting and bringing new things to life.
More than anything, besides God, was her love for her family. She was never blessed to have children of her own, but she always felt that God gave her wonderful siblings, nieces, nephews and great nephews that she could spoil and be a big influence in their lives. She did just that. They knew they could always go to her with any need or want and she would try to supply it. Her greatest joy was her mother, Ernestine. She always talked about how blessed she was to be able to have her mother in her life for all 68 years of her life. They went to church and other events together, shopped together, ate out together and most of the time, just enjoyed each other's company. They enjoyed nothing more than sharing a day together watching PBS and MeTV. At 94 years of age, Ernestine Brown was Velda's constant companion.
Velda was preceded in death by her grandmother, Alberta Scye; father Daniel Cornish; brother Lionell Scye; stepfather Raymond Brown; stepsisters Rose Brown, Jenny McCoy and stepbrother Robert Brown Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memories and celebrate her life her mother, Ernestine Barrymore Scye Brown-Seaford DE; sister Carla Scye-Laurel DE, stepsister Ida Smith-Mardela Springs MD, brother Dana Scye-Seaford DE; nieces and nephews: Ashley Scye (Brian), Delray Smith, Erica Scye (Pierre), Kendel Smith, Kenji Smith, Marie Moore, Marshai Watson, Michael Byrd, Nichelle Dutton (Evan), Sakina Cooper, Sherelle Scye (Tillia), Robert Brown Jr, Royce Brown and Tina Lundberg; great nieces and great nephews: Carter Maddox, Conner Scye (Amanda), Derrick Mitchell, Deshawn Scye, Thomas Fields, Tarion Fields, and Tiana Jones; great-great nieces: Luna Fields and Samiyah Moger; many cousins; special friends Denise Burton, Ginger Speight, Pauline Wyatt, Willette Carter; Mt. Nebo Church Family and bonus family- the Speight Family.
Rest in peace soldier - fit to fight, proud to serve. Your mission is complete. Hooah!
Repast: Friday, March 14, immediately after services
Mt. Nebo UMC Community Center
4513 White Deer Road
Delmar, DE 19940
Burial: Monday, March 17 @ 11:00 a.m.
Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro
26669 Patriot's Way
Millsboro, DE 19966
Donation in Velda's memory can be made to the following:
Mt. Nebo UMC
4513 White Deer Road
Delmar DE 19940
Delaware Special Olympics
619 South College Avenue
Newark DE 19716
http://www.sode.org
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