Velkis Orieta McCulley-Matthews

Velkis Orieta McCulley Matthews, 65, of Pueblo, Colorado, passed away on Wednesday, August

20, 2025. She departed peacefully, surrounded by family, after a courageous eight-month battle

with cancer. Through her battle, she was known as "Victorious Velkis."

Velkis was born on June 28, 1960, in Panama City, Panama, and was raised and protected by the

watchful eyes of Charles W. McCulley and Petra Gonzalez de McCulley. In 1967, her family

migrated to the United States, settling first in Pocatello, Idaho, before planting roots in Pueblo,

Colorado. Velkis was known for her love of sports, excelling in both softball and volleyball. A

proud Central High School Wildcat, she graduated with a deep-rooted belief that "the bell rang

BLUE!" She went on to attend Colorado State University Pueblo, where she earned a degree in

Communications and acquired the nickname "DJ Chris James" for her work on a college radio

show. One of her favorite pastimes was attending Pueblo's annual chili festival with her mother

and siblings.

Family and Legacy

Velkis met the love of her life, Gregory Matthews, in 1991 at Club Hype in San Diego,

California. They were married on June 2, 1995, and recently celebrated their 30th wedding

anniversary. Together for 34 years, they shared a life full of laughter and dedicated every

moment to one another. Greg fondly remembers their shared passion for attending the Winter

Park Jazz Festival, planting flowers, and their self-care days, which included Velkis cutting his

hair into funny designs and him giving her pedicures. He often said the best parts of him came

from Velkis, and she made him the man he is today.

A proud and loving mother, Velkis's children were the joys of her life. She passed down her love

of sneakers and DJ skills to her son, DJ Giovannii, who is also a notable health coach. She

shared her passion for the Denver Broncos with her daughter, Leilani, and was the biggest

supporter and fan of her daughter, Yael's, singing career. Velkis's happy place was being

surrounded by her family, including her dogs Baku, Ami, Cassius, Kato, and her grand-dog

Churro Concolón. A true music enthusiast, she loved listening to vinyl records in her record

room and could always be found dancing and singing along whenever New Edition or Boyz II

Men were in town.

Velkis is preceded in death by her parents, Petra and Charles McCulley.

She is survived by her loving husband, Greg Matthews, and her children: son, Giovanni

Robinson; daughter, Leilani Robinson; stepson, Leshaun Matthews (Stacy); daughter, Yael

Matthews, and god daughter, Yane Shine Song. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Kato

James Matthews.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Anthony, Gabriel, and Joselyn Matthews; and her six

siblings: Franklin O. McCulley, Joseph DaCosta McCulley, Juanita (ChiChi) McCulley-Santos

(Jerry), Yanera McCulley-Sedillo (Donnie), Tamisha McCulley, and Little Joseph F. McCulley.

Her legacy also lives on through her nieces and nephews: Charlie, Zolanye (Andy), Ty, Charles,

Niko, Royal, Sofia, and Catalina, as well as her great-nephews, Yasiel and Yamilo.