Velera Ann Jones

Velera Ann Jones January 26, 1929 to March 19, 2009 A wonderful teacher, devoted wife, supportive mother, caring friend, dependable volunteer and a person with a deep personal relationship with God…Velera Ann Jones passed away peacefully, with her daughter at her side, at the age of 80 in a lovely foster home in Beaverton, Oregon on March 19, 2009.Please join her family and friends as we celebrate the life of a truly special woman.Velera Ann Williamson was born in Dallas, Texas on January 26, 1929. After living one year in the West Texas oil boom-town of Iraan, the Williamsons moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Her father and mother, Dr. Walter Ernest Williamson and Lucile Miller Williamson, completed the Williamson family with two other children, Walter Jr. ("Bud") and Margaret ("Peggy"), the younger siblings of Velera ("Susie"). After growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Velera received her BA degree in English and Education from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and her Masters degree in Education from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Teaching brought Velera to Midland, Texas, where she joined First Baptist Church; and it was there she met Herman Jones. Herman and Velera started their relationship by attending the Sweetheart Banquet; and after waiting for Velera to get her Masters degree, the two were married in St. Louis, Missouri on June 11, 1955 as part of a double wedding with Velera's sister, Peggy. Herman and Velera Jones lived in Midland, Texas, most of their married lives and brought two children into this world, Daniel and DeeAnn. Daniel continues to live in Midland, Texas and DeeAnn and her husband, Rhyc Sandberg, live and work in Beaverton, Oregon. Velera was involved in all aspects of her children's lives. She supported them in all their crazy endeavors and was famous for creative themes and decorations at birthday parties. With Velera's teaching background, all holidays were celebrated without restraint; and she loved to do crafts with both her children and her students. Herman and Velera have been married for 53 years. One of their favorite pastimes together was travel. Over the years, they enjoyed numerous car trips all over the United States; and also enjoyed traveling to Paris, Spain, and the Philippines. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a cruise to Alaska as a gift from DeeAnn. Their Golden Anniversary was celebrated in First Baptist Church the place where they met with an overflowing reception full of family and friends from their supportive community.In all, Velera taught school for 25 wonderful years. Most of those years were spent at Rusk Elementary in Midland, Texas where she made a permanent positive mark on the lives of countless elementary students. After retiring, Velera spent time as a volunteer in the Rusk Elementary library. Velera was a voracious reader and you would rarely see her without something in her hand, in her purse or by her side that she was reading. It's difficult to pin down Velera's hobbies because she enjoyed everything about life. She attended any and all arts related events, encouraging DeeAnn to be a part of the Pickwick Players at Midland Community Theatre and following closely as Herman and Daniel got involved with the Midland Gem and Mineral Club. Velera thoroughly enjoyed serving in First Baptist Church throughout her 50-plus year membership and was a Sunday School teacher for three year olds for 23 years. She also served as Church Librarian and as part of the Mission program. Perhaps her favorite church activity was her part in the International Friends group. This special group helped foreign-born Midland residents to acclimate to living in the United States. Velera helped teach members of this group how to drive, where to shop and the basics of conversational English. Velera's favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 26:3…"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Velera was preceded in death by her father and mother, Walter and Lucile Williamson. Velera is survived and remembered by her husband, Herman, and their two children, Daniel (Midland, Texas) and DeeAnn (Beaverton, Oregon). She is also survived by her two siblings, Dr. Walter E. Williamson, Jr. (Bridgeport, West Virginia) and Peggy McNatt (Orlando, Florida).A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 at First Baptist Church, 2104 W. Louisiana, Midland, TX 79701 with Dr. Gary Dyer officiating. A brief graveside service will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park at 4616 N. Big Spring Street. Pallbearers for Velera Jones will be Dr. John Adams, Allen Cloud, Bill Goree, Bernie Keaton, Dr. Gene Spires, and Dr. Vernon Stokes.Visitation will occur on Friday, March 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home, 3800 N. Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas 79705. Arrangements are under direction of Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Please call 432-550-5800 for more information or make online condolences at www.npwelch.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Velera Ann Jones' name to Rusk Elementary Library Fund, 2601 Wedgewood Street, Midland, Texas 79707 or First Baptist Church Library Fund, 2104 W. Louisiana, Midland, TX 79701.,