Who Is Velma Barfield? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on October 29, 1932, Velma Barfield became a notorious figure in America's criminal history. She was executed in 1984, making her one of the first women to be executed in the United States since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Barfield was known for her heinous crimes involving the poisoning of her victims, primarily family members and acquaintances, for financial gain. Her life story reflects a complex interplay of personal tragedy, mental health issues, and criminal behavior.
| Occupation | Serial Killers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 29, 1932 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Eastover, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 2 November, 1984 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Velma Barfield's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches
- Weight: 130 lbs (approx.)
- Body Stats: While specific body measurements are not widely documented due to her infamy and the time she lived in, it is known that she had a slight build.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Velma Barfield had a troubled family life that contributed to her heinous actions. She was married to a man named Daniel Barfield, but the relationship was tumultuous and ultimately ended in divorce. She had one daughter, but her family ties became strained due to her criminal activities. As of 2025, given her passing in 1984, there are no updated details regarding any romantic relationships or familial reconciliations since her death.
Her father was reportedly physically abusive and her mother did not intervene. Barfield escaped her tumultuous household by marrying Thomas Burke in 1949. The couple had two children and were reportedly happy until Barfield had a hysterectomy and developed back pain. These events led to a behavioral change in Barfield and an eventual addiction to prescription drugs.
Net Worth and Salary
Velma Barfield’s criminal life and subsequent capture did not afford her the opportunity for a significant net worth. In fact, many reports indicate that she had financial struggles leading up to her crimes. Now, in 2025, her net worth remains negligible and largely associated with the costs related to her trials and the consequences of her actions.
Career, Business, and Investments
Barfield's career prior to her notoriety was sporadic, involving various low-wage jobs. Her criminal activities, however, overshadow her work history. She maintained numerous jobs throughout her life, but ultimately became infamous as a serial killer, which eclipses any of her previous career achievements. After her capture, she became the subject of various documentaries and crime-related literature, indicating a posthumous cultural impact rather than a traditional career.
Margie Velma Barfield (née Bullard; October 29, 1932 – November 2, 1984) was an American serial killer who was convicted of one murder but was linked to seven murders in total. She became the first woman in the United States to be executed after the resumption of capital punishment in 1976, and the first since 1962. She was also the first woman to be executed by lethal injection.
Social Network
Since Velma Barfield has been deceased since 1984, she does not have an active social network. However, her story has been discussed extensively across true crime platforms, social media, and in various online forums interested in criminal psychology and the death penalty. In 2025, her legacy continues to draw attention, with many exploring the psychological and sociological implications of her actions.
Education
There is limited information regarding Velma Barfield's educational background. It is known that she had a rather tough upbringing, which likely affected her schooling. Despite any formal education she might have received, her life choices and path ultimately led her to commit crimes that defined her legacy.
Barfield's involvement in Christian ministry was extensive enough that an effort was made to obtain a commutation to life imprisonment.
A second basis for this appeal was the testimony of Dorothy Otnow Lewis, Professor of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine and an authority on violent behavior, who claimed that Barfield suffered from dissociative identity disorder.
Lewis testified that she had spoken to Barfield's other personality, "Billy," who told her that Velma had been a victim of sexual abuse and that he, Billy, had killed her abusers. The judge was unconvinced. "One of them did it," Lewis quoted him as saying "I don't care which one."
