Fairmont, West Virginia - Velda Amerilo Musgrove, 90, transitioned peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family, at 9:00 a.m. on the morning of July 5, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Velda is survived by her beloved husband of 73 years, Samuel Ray Musgrove; daughters Debra Kay Hetrick and Lisa Fay (Tim) Treadway; a granddaughter, Kaelin Rae Hetrick; a sister, Marilin Rush; a sister-in-law, Mary Alyce Bell; as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was born in the Bunners Ridge community of Fairmont, WV, on September 23, 1934, to the late Victor and Myrtle (Moran) Neel. She is preceded in death by her son, Steven Ray Musgrove; granddaughter, Amy Jo Treadway; siblings Edward (Bernice) Neel, Lawrence (Mary) Neel, Evelyn (Marlan) Murphy, Okareda (Denny) Sanders; and brother-in-law Jack Rush.

Velda was a kind, gentle woman who radiated beauty both inwardly and outwardly. She loved music and could always be heard singing. As a teenager, she was part of the Carpenter Band.

After graduating from East Fairmont High School, she married Samuel. His stationing in the Marines took them to North Carolina and eventually Washington, D.C., where Velda worked as a secretary at the Department of Labor, the FBI Headquarters, and later at Galis Manufacturing Company in Fairmont, WV.

She cherished her relationships with God, family, and friends. She never forgot a face or a name. She kept her childlike spirit and wonder for life - whether picking raspberries in the field with her granddaughter, collecting seashells at the beach, or watching birds, turkeys, and deer from her window, she found joy in nature.

After Samuel's retirement, they traveled to Florida in their RV and stayed at Patrick Space Force Base. Upon returning to Fairmont, Velda enjoyed selling Avon to ladies in her neighborhood as well as attending the Sagebrush Round-Up and many country music concerts and bluegrass festivals. She had a sweet tooth, and her favorite desserts were chocolate-covered cherries and apple butter.

Following a private service at Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home, officiated by Jonathan Stevens, Velda will be laid to rest in her family's plot at a cemetery off Glady Creek Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Dann Hardman of Patty's Angels on behalf of the Tri-County Walk to End Alzheimer's. These donations will support research, education, and awareness for this disease.

To donate, follow the link below:

https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?idb=1688368510&df_id=62119&FR_ID=19019&mfc_pref=T&62119;.donation=form1&PROXY_ID=6301873&PROXY_TYPE=20

Additionally, the family would like to thank the staff at WV Caring for their excellent and compassionate care for Velda in her final days.