#wgci

Another Angel has gotten her wings!

Some people come into your life in ways you don’t expect!

Mrs. Velma Brazelton was one of those people for me.

I can remember our conversation like it was yesterday.

She was the very first person I had to chat with when I was hired as a Radio Personality at WGCI-AM Gospel 1390, back in the day! I had just graduated from Columbia College and was soooo excigted to be working at the number 1 urban station in Chicago. I was so excited and scared at the same time! Talk about butterflies! They were having a party in my stomach, and they wouldn’t stop.

Velma could see my anxiety and her words of encouragement calmed my racing heart down! I was so in awe because I was being given the rules of radio, and would be working with some of my all time favorite Radio Personalities, including but not limited to LaDonna Tittle! Did I mention Doug Banks & Sybil Wilkes & Bonnie DeShong just to name a few. I was actually entering a world of entertainment where I listened to my favorite DJ’s, and now I get a chance to work with them! Who knew?

I knew that all my hard work would pay off. Working 2 jobs and a part time job was finally over! I had arrived! Little did I know that I would be connected to my co-workers for life! It was the lovely Lisa E. #1 Radio Producer in Radio, who had everybody & anybody’s private number in her cell. She didn’t even brag about it, just as cool and down to earth as they come. You always remember people like that!

Velma was such a sweetheart! Everyone loved Mrs. Brazelton! I even had the opportunity to take a photo with her again last year at the WGCI Reunion for retired Station Manager Marv Dyson! She was still as sweet as the day I met her. My wish for you reading this is a reminder to love more. Let the people you care about know, that you care about them. Be as kind as you possibly can. As my Granny used to tell me as a little girl, “kill them with kindness!” That’s what Velma did. She was so warm and loving and nurturing, you can’t help but remember the lasting impression she made on my life!

You may have not heard of her on the air because she was a behind-the-scenes giant, working in HR, where she was the reigning Queen! Everyone who worked at the stations (V103, WGCI-FM & AM) knew who she was because you couldn’t go on the air until she cleared you! How cool is that?

For this Mrs. Brazelton I salute you! Your transition to be with the Ancestors reminds us all to be the very best we can be to ourselves and others.

Thank You Mrs. Velma Brazelton for being such a bright lite for all to see. Rest In Paradise!

Lovingly,

ZeldaSpeaks!

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