Veda Jolly Eulogy Read During Memorial Service

Hello to all from Karen and Dave in Central Texas. We're sorry we can't be with you today but we're so pleased you've come to honor my mom Veda, or Mom Jolly as Dave would say. I'm not sure how she'd feel having us making a fuss over her. One thing I am sure of, she was confident about the need to personally know Christ and the power of His salvation offered freely to all. She lived life centered on sharing Christ. Mom often related circumstances God put her in because people there needed to hear Jesus' message. This purpose-driven life sustained her throughout her 94 years.

She last visited us in Texas in September of 2012. During her stay, we had a wonderful, un-hurried conversation about her life. Much of what I'll share with you today comes from that timely chat in the Fall season of her life. Let me tell you about who she was and which life experiences shaped her most. First of all, if she carried a business card it would've read Evangelist, Will Travel.

On her flight back she sat next to a young man, discussing the reality of Christ. Surveys say that next to small children and non-stop talkers, evangelicals are the least welcome seatmates on plane trips. However, her sincerity and unassuming manner made the conversation free flowing and a delightful way to pass the time. The combination of getting to talk of Christ and travel at the same time must have made for a great ride and the young man told her that no one had ever told him about Jesus.  

Imagine what her first plane ride must have been like, back in 1947, going from D.C. to California. What Mom didn't like was riding a tractor; farm living wasn't the life for her! She was raised in a large family of nine children on a rural Missouri farm near O'Possum Creek.   Much of her childhood was during the Depression era when everything was scarce, except children, I guess! But she knew what it was to be in need, learning to value even the smallest of possessions. She spoke often of her beloved pet chicken. 

She left the family farm at a very young age and became an excellent typist and stenographer, skills that soon took her by train to work in the Pentagon during World War II. She worked as a clerk in the Office of the Signal Corps and obtained a top-secret security clearance. The Signal Corps was responsible for the Army's communications. Dave served with the Signal Corps and was thrilled when Mom gave him some of her Pentagon memorabilia. 

Her job at the Pentagon and later at Moffett Field near San Jose extended far beyond the title of Clerk. Mom possessed an innate intelligence, without the need for validation by papers hanging on a wall. She gathered highly technical information pertaining to Signal Corps operations, as well as processed security clearances. A fun responsibility was administering the paperwork for movie stars such as Clark Gable. That train trip to D.C. in 1942, at age 21, may also have sparked her lifelong love of traveling.  

Raising a large family of her own was the next whistle-stop shaping her life journey.  She brought six children into this world.  At one time all six of us were under the age of ten. When my dad's obligations kept him chained to the grindstone, she would load us up in the car and take us to places like Yosemite and Disneyland, all by herself. I'm also more than grateful for her sacrifice of time carting me back and forth to piano lessons for years. I grew to love the piano and was blessed to pass this legacy on to all my children.

Yet as much as children can shape your life positively, they can also bring heartbreak. Mom was deeply affected by the loss of two children. My younger brothers' passing didn't shake her faith but did bring her great sadness. She took comfort from their salvation experiences. So Mom was no stranger to sorrow.  

For Mom there were three undeniable sources of truth - Fox News, Mike Huckabee and the Southern Baptist denomination. For her, there were only two denominations, the Southern Baptists and everybody else. Mom and Dad joined this church soon after moving to Fair Oaks in 1964. When she was no longer physically able to attend she enjoyed watching evangelist Dr. Charles Stanley on TV as often as she could.

Another significant part of Mom's life was being an Avon Lady. She was part of the Avon community for over 20 years. She loved everything about Avon, including the cosmetics, jewelry and collectibles. She made many lasting Avon friends and looked forward to calling on them regularly. Perhaps she called a few too many times, as hip replacement surgery finally put her on the sidelines in 2005. 

Excellent grammar was also important to Mom - growing up we never got away with sloppy English. Her penmanship also reflected detail, elegance and consistency. 

Her legacy of Christian faith, the need for hard work and personal sacrifice to raise a family, Depression era influenced lifestyle, humor and loyalty can now be passed on to her ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. They reside all the way from California to Texas and Florida. All of these are destinations she'd love to travel to still.  

In retirement she did get to travel extensively, until she wore out my dad's legs and they had to settle for shorter day trips. On November 26th, her own legs finally gave out. She was more than ready to be carried into loving arms of Jesus. 

Good-bye again, Mom. Thank you for everything.

Love to everyone.

Karen and Dave

Amen

Although I did not know Ms. Jolly, I would like to express my condolences to her family. I am so sorry for your loss. I promise that I will pray for your family tonight. John 11:1-44.

Sending loving thoughts to the family from brother Loren and niece Sharon. Loren loved his sister dearly and they kept up until just the last few months when they both moved to assisted living centers. Many wonderful thoughts and memories.

OBITUARY

Veda V Jolly

5 May, 1921 – 25 November, 2015

Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary

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