VELMA DEAN (JOHNSON) MALONE

On July 3, 1938, God blessed “Velma Dean” as she became the first born of Veulah and Curtis Johnson, in Crockett, Texas.  It was a Sunday, and a long weekend with the July 4th Independence day celebrations that Monday.  She enjoyed celebrating her life on both days, for years to come.

Velma Dean attended Mary Bethune Elementary and Ralph Bunche High School in Crockett where she loved being a majorette and was the school queen.  She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1945 at Miles Chapel AME in Crockett and was baptized by Pastor O.T. Green. She maintained her faith throughout her life and attended St. Monica Catholic Church, and The Community of Faith in  Houston, Texas.

Being the oldest of three children and losing her mother at an early age, Velma Dean was determined to help her grandmother raise her brother and sister.  Moving to Houston after graduation, she began to work at a clothing store where she learned fashion.  She also furthered her studies at Northwest Interior Decorations and Floral Designs. She developed a keen eye on how to look great and dress for success.  It didn’t hurt having a smart grandmother and four aunts that helped to support her dreams.

Velma Dean met a talented musician named Travis Phillips.  They were blessed with three children; Vira, Vincent and Floyd.  They lost Vincent when he was very young, and the life of a professional musician and the travel that came with the entertainment business began to take a toll on the relationship.  Then, unexpectedly, while Travis was working in San Francisco, he passed. 

Velma Dean loved her children and continued to work, gain knowledge, wisdom and experience. More importantly, she learned to trust God.  Later, she met Willie Malone and developed a strong relationship, married, and gave birth to Willie “Chris” Malone.  She loved her family and was very protective of them.  Throughout her life, she offered support, encouragements and discipline.  Velma Dean never hesitated to let you know what was on her mind. However, if you listened, it would bless you.  Even when scoliosis began to slow her down and she had to have major surgeries to help her back, God put angels in her life to help her get through it.  Although life presented challenges, she enjoyed home interior decorating, floral design, camping, shopping and cooking.  She worked at Republic National Bank in Houston and Tom Gray Management, from which she retired.

On March 31, 2025, God called home His beloved, Velma Dean Johnson Malone, to rest eternally with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  She was preceded in transition by her parents, son, great-grandson (Jeremiah Stephan Johnson), brother (Billy G. Johnson), sister (Shirley M. Johnson), grandmother (Elvira Jones), three aunts (Elnola Masters, Annie B. Steed, Elmarie Wilson) and one uncle (A.W. Johnson, Sr).

Left to honor her life and cherish her memory are her daughter, Vira Johnson Jefferson (John); two sons, Floyd Johnson (Bridgette) and Willie Malone (Diana); grandchildren: Tuvara  Johnson, Tiffany Jefferson, Amber Johnson, Dominique Chinweze (Chudi), Margeaux Malone, Jecory  Johnson, Stephan Johnson, Zachary Malone; great-grandchildren: Tatiara Johnson, Daxtrice Stoudmire, Nya Johnson, Tu’rey Stoudemire, Tu’Juon Johnson; great-grandchildren: Chance Chinweze, Imani Chavis, Iniya Chavis, Imbri Chavis, Naija Chinweze; aunt, Jessie Singletary Page; nieces: Sherri Moye-Clegg (Dmitri), Shyveka Johnson; nephews: Derrick Milburn, Billy J. Johnson; special life-long friends: Faye Calhoun, Jackie Jackson, Louise Breaux, Don Breaux and a host of other relatives and friends.

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