Mrs. Velma Thomas

The Life of Velma Thomas: We are here today to celebrate the life of Velma Thomas, born October 28, 1921, in Cleveland, Arkansas. Velma was one of ten children born to the late Lee Harris and Ella Harris. She attended public school in Rison, Arkansas. She moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she married her beloved husband Woodrow Thomas who preceded her in death. She was an employee in the food service department at Henry Ford Hospital for over twenty years before she retired in October of 1983. After she retired from Henry Ford Hospital, she spent her days attending to her grandniece and nephews as well as doing home improvement projects. One of which was painting the entire outside of her home, brick by brick, all by herself. Velma joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church May 19, 1974 where she received her confirmation. She loved Holy Cross Church and was an active member in the evangelist outreach ministry. Velma loved the Lord and talked about her relationship with God quite frequently. She was an immaculate housekeeper; the outside of her home was just as clean and neat as the inside. She loved gardening, especially growing vegetables and flowers. She loved people and had many friends who loved her as well. Velma was a very giving and caring person, always willing to help whenever and wherever she could. She was also very family-oriented. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate the life of one or grieve for the loss of another. After the death of her beloved sister Bertha, she didn't hesitate to step in and become a surrogate parent to her daughter Loretta and her children. Velma was not afraid to get her hands dirty. She believed in hard work and perseverance, which is what I believe, allowed her to live so long. But she never let her work consume her or the hard times she faced in life stop her from moving forward. By out-living the majority of her family and friends, she learned the true meaning of not taking life for granted. She loved life and no one could tell her how to live it. She was a fighter; continuing to fight until the very end. Nevertheless, she finally found peace on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 11:02 a.m.

Mrs. Velma Thomas

October 28, 1921 - April 28, 2013