Vella was born on May 9, 1900 in Timpson, Texas to Berry Monroe Shipp and Elizabeth Ann Libbie MIller.  She had at least six silbings,  Ernest Hunt Shipp ((1893-1918), Addie Mae Shipp, Loy Monroe Shipp, Vinson Hiram Shipp, Oran Shipp (1904-1977) amd Lutie Miller Shipp (1908-1934). She graduated from Timpson High School in 1919.  In 1931 she married George Dewey Burton (1898-1984).  Vella passed away on October 16, 1983 at the age of 83 in Nacogdoches, Texas.