Velma Irene Thompson

Velma Irene (Hixson) Thompson was born on June 10th, 1933 and was the last surviving child of 9 children of Henry and Melinda Hixson. Survived by her only child a daughter Cynthia Smith, grandson Zachary Smith and 2 great grandchildren Parker and Mila Smith, her former husband Donald Scott and her late life partner of 18 years John Eberhardt as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Velma was born and raised in rural Hiawatha, Kansas. She graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1951. She married Donald Scott at 22 and they moved to Kansas City, Kansas shortly afterwards for better job opportunities.

Velma loved life and people. She was a sweet soul and a social butterfly. She loved music and dance especially Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks. She had many lifelong friends and endeared herself to all who knew her with her genuine love, concern, understanding and acceptance of others.

Velma was a working career woman in the 1950's and throughout her adult life. She worked as a telephone operator for South Western Bell for years, then as a head Teller at Kaw Valley State Bank for many years and lastly in the insurance industry at Employer's Reinsurance Corporation.

Velma loved her friends and family and was always there for others. She was a Christian who walked the walk despite mistakes we all make as humans, by faith and quiet example and non judgment. Her favorite Scripture verses were Psalm 23, John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

A favorite childhood memory with mom was a nightly bedtime ritual of saying The Lord's Prayer before going to sleep. She used to sing in the Church Choir at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kansas of which she was a member for many years.

In her retirement years she enjoyed going to the library for books, going to water aerobics at the community center in North Kansas City, spending time with her grandson Zachary and travels with family and her life partner John Eberhardt. She especially enjoyed her trips to see many extended family members from her mother, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins etc. at family reunions which were always a ton of fun with lots of people, laughter and home cooking pot luck style.

Family was everything to Velma and she always stayed in touch with her 8 siblings and their families across the miles from California to Colorado, The Carolina's, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and more over the years by phone and letters. The Hixson family was an adventurous bunch that lived well, laughed often and loved much.

Velma visited her daughter Cynthia and grandson Zachary in Minnesota several times a year joining on family vacations on trips to Florida, California, Carolina's, Georgia, Canada, Mexico, The US Virgin Islands, and several National Parks. Many wonderful, priceless memories were made.

Throughout life's ups and downs Velma always maintained her faith and trust in God and a positive encouraging attitude. She had many sayings one which was “whatever will be, will be”. She was very spunky, intelligent and full of common sense with a backbone. She lived and loved with abandon and had a bit of an ornery, playful streak.

Velma’s greatest legacy was her humble, gracious, cheerful, loving manner and many friends and family who held her in high esteem. She will forever have a firm foothold on our hearts. May she rest in eternal peace in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen.