Velma Jean Hyatt Miller died peacefully Sept. 17 at the Friendship Village Hospice of the Valley, nieces Kellye Trickett Serrano and Linda Trickett at her side. She was 85, and the last of her generation. She was born March 1, 1929, and was raised in "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia" by her parents, Iva Myrtle and Jefferson Hyatt. Seven of her nine siblings reached adulthood: Jack of Florida and Monrovia, Calif.; Libby (Allowatt) of Fairmont, W.Va.; Pauline (Hatt), Myron "Peck", Loraine (Trickett), Alma (Murray), and Jefferson "Junior,"all of Douglas. She was the widow of Eldridge "Red" Miller. Velma's calling was to take care of people in both her profession as a nurse's aide and as a caregiver, sister and friend. She worked at the Cochise County Hospital in Douglas and St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson for many years. She cared for her mother until her death at 95 and for sister, Loraine's, father-in-law, Judd Trickett, both of Douglas. Over the years she cared for her sister Alma and husband Tom in her home, her brother, Jack, in his Monrovia, Calif., home, and many others. She joined her niece, Ann, in Yuma, working a number of jobs, including stocking and providing samples at grocery stores, afforded her the interaction she enjoyed. She and Ann were more like mother and daughter than aunt and niece. In 1993, she and Ann moved to Mesa, and she eventually became Ann's tender caregiver as well, as Ann slowly succumbed to ovarian cancer. Velma was with Ann through every difficult day, and was by her side when she passed, also under the loving care of Hospice. Even though Velma never had children of her own, her nieces and nephews – then her great-nephews and great-nieces -- filled her life with love and laughter. Each one had his or her own special relationship with Velma – not shared with anyone else. It is not possible to memorialize Velma's life without mentioning her long devotion to "The King" – Elvis. She played his records constantly and, in the 1970's, had her dream come true when she attended his concert in Tucson. At her 85th birthday party, she and 75 of her closest family and friends enjoyed a performance by "Elvis." Survivors, nieces and nephews, include: Children of Peck: Allen of Tucson and Sharon Moreno of Sierra Vista. Child of Pauline: O'Neil Watkins (Mary) of Douglas; Bill (Dorina) of Douglas; Jonathon and Joseph, both of Tucson; Christina of Douglas; six grandchildren. Children of Loraine: Carol Jennings of Tempe (Max, deceased), stepsons John of Tucson and Jason of Tampa. Beverly Gonzalez (Freddy) of Hereford; sons Eric of Phoenix and Jared of Tucson (Nicole); daughters Amy Hintze of Queen Creek (Matt), and Gina Lee of Hereford (Kameron); 13 grandchildren. Kellye Serrano (Raul) and son Max, all of Tempe. Linda Trickett and children Olivia and Isaac, all of Gilbert. Children of Alma: Debbie Chealander (Chris); children Heather Sparks (Chris); Jennifer Johnson (Vi); Joshua and Michael; three grandchildren, all of Fernley, Nev.; Brenda Schroeder (Richard) of Phoenix. Children of Junior: David, Deanna and Darlene Hyatt, all of Douglas; Danny Hyatt of Tucson; Doug Hyatt of Sierra Vista; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Friends may call at 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Grace United Methodist Church, 715 E. 11th St., Douglas. Services will be held at 1 p.m., the Rev. Michele Kelley, presiding, followed by a reception at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 340 E. Coronado Rd., Phoenix, 85004.