Velma Viola Hammett

Born Velma Viola Waldrip, the sixth and last child of DJ and Lilly Waldrip on April 30, 1936 in Wise County, Boyd, Texas.

Velma lost her daddy at five years of age and was raised by her mama and older siblings… Ernest, Raymond, Vessie, Willie and Albert. She was well looked after by them.

Velma excelled in school, graduating as a Valedictorian of her class at Boyd High School. She went to business school and worked in an insurance company in downtown Fort Worth. She married Boyd Brawley when she was twenty and they had a son, Boyd Wesley Brawley Jr on July 8, 1957 in Bridgeport, Texas. Exactly two years later, July 8, 1959, they welcomed their daughter, (her brother’s delight and most favorite birthday gift) DeLana Joy Brawley in Odessa, Texas where they moved for Boyd to work in the oil patch.

After eight years, the union ended. Soon after she met the love of her life, Floyd C Hammett in Odessa, Texas, where they lived and raised their children together. She was a great mom to Terry, Ricky and Kimbra Hammett as well, and cherished by all of her children.

Floyd and Velma worked hard and were a great example to their children. Floyd retired from the Odessa Fire Department and afterwards they had a successful auto glass business for many years. Velma was very involved in running the business. Previously in her life, Velma worked to help where she could, to provide for their family. She was always at home when her children went and arrived home from school. She worked as a school cafeteria cook for many years. She sold everything from Avon, toys and more. She could sew beautifully and always had her hand in some sort of craft. She and her daughter-in-law, Tammie, were always in the craft room crafting away. In her forties she became a florist and owned her own floral shop in Odessa, The Bridal Boutique, which catered to weddings. She created many beautiful wedding settings.

Velma’s most precious treasure was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and she lived her life wholeheartedly for Him. Leading women for the majority of her Christian Walk, as well as caring for the church. God was always first, but her family, children and grandchildren ran a very close second. God and family were her life.

Her life left a legacy with many lives touched by her kindness, beautiful smile and laughter in her 89 years.

We love you Mama. You will be greatly missed. We will see you again… very soon.

Velma is survived by her five children, Boyd Wesley Brawley and wife Toni, DeLana Henry and husband, David, Terry Hammett and wife Tammie, Rick Hammett and wife Pam, Kimbra Weiershausen and husband Don. Brother Albert Waldrip, sister-in- law Elisabeth Horne and husband Olin. Nanny’s precious grandchildren, Jayson and wife Sheryl, Adam & wife Chrysta, Amy and husband Alex, Tyler, Brittney, Landon and wife Sarah, Kylah and husband Michael, Matthew and wife Mandy, Erica and husband, Christian and Ashley. Her grandchildren blessed her with 26 great-grandchildren... Casey, Riley, MaKayla, Tamara, Adleigh, Sebastian, Genevieve, Sophia, Axel, Emmet, Ellie, Grayson, Lylah, Joseph, Mack, Michael, Camilla, Jameson, Tilley, Hattie, Destyni, Alisyah, Isabella, Ace, Anson, Abin, as well as nieces and nephews.

She left her earthly body behind for a glorious reunion in Heaven on April 23, 2025, five days shy of her 89th birthday.

Velma’s legacy and the life she lived carries on.

A visitation for Velma will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, 601 North Alleghaney, Odessa, TX 79761. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 6801 E, Odessa, TX 79762.