Murderers Come in All Disguises

While browsing through web pages I came across an almost unbelievable story. As I read it became clear that this story was very true. Velma Margie Barfield was a mother a grandmother, a wife, a friend and claimed to be a Christian. Her life took her from all these things to Death Row.

Velma’s early life

Velma Margie (Bullard) Barfield came into this world the 23 rd of October, 1932. She was born in rural South Carolina to Lillie and Murphy Bullard and was, their second oldest child, of the nine children. Velma was born into a poor family where her father was a tobacco farmer and soon after her birth he gave up the farm and moved to Fayetteville to live with Murphy’s parents. Soon after, Murphy’s parents died and the family stayed in the home.

Things were not all sunshine and roses in Velma’s home. Her father ruled with an iron fist while her mother accepted the way he ruled and bent to his every whim. This meant that Lillie did not interfere in the way he treated their children. Velma on the other hand was not as meek and mild as her mother and had a big piece of her father’s ways which did not mix so well in the household. She felt the beatings of her father many times through this rebellion.

Velma Steals

Velma started school in 1939 and found it to be a haven away from the cramped home she lived in and from her father’s discipline. Velma was a good student but soon found that she was shunned by her peers due to being poor. This took Velma down the path of stealing and the first one she stole from was her father. She paid dearly for that mistake and didn’t steal again for quite a while. At this time she was put in charge of helping to raise the younger children.

Velma had learnt quite a bit by the time she reached 10 and one of the things she learned was how to control her temper towards her father, so much so, that she became his favorite. She joined a baseball team that was organized by her father and did very well. By now Velma had also learned how easy it was to manipulate her father to get things she wanted.

Velma Marries

Murphy took a new job in Red Springs, South Carolina just when Velma was starting high school. By now Velma’s grades were suffering but she was excellent on the basketball court. This is when Velma met Thomas Burke who was a senior in her school. The rules were set by Velma’s father but he did allow her to date. There were curfews put in place that was adhered to by Velma. When Velma turned 17 she decided to quit school and marry Thomas, of course her father was totally against this but Velma went through with it anyway.