Mrs. Veola Tinsley, was born in Providence, Kentucky. Upon graduating
from high school, Veecy moved to Champaign where she met and married
Roscoe Tinsley. They became the proud parents of three daughters:
Elvena, Sharon and Rosalind. Roscoe and Veecy opened Tinsley's
Cleaners during the early 1950s and remained in business until
his death in 1974. Her daughters attribute their work ethic to
the training received by working in the family business during
school and summer breaks. They were told that hard work was a
prerequisite for building good character.
Mrs. Tinsley is an active member of Salem Baptist Church. She
has served as Church Clerk for more than 30 years. Also, she worked
with the Willing Workers Missionary Club, the Mother's Board and
volunteers in the Soup Kitchen. She is famous for her spicy cabbage.
After the death of her husband, Veecy returned to school and
received her Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Illinois University
on December 16, 1979. Armed with her degree, she began working
as a counselor for the Champaign Consortium. Later she worked
for the JPTA where she assisted many teenagers and adults in becoming
gainfully employed. Veecy retired on September 16, 1995.
Veola (Veecy) Tinsley
)
denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.