Mrs. Velma Thomas Griffin of 1310 Azalea Circle, Cordele, Georgia died Sunday, November 3, 2024 at the Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Evergreen Church Cemetery in Rochelle, Georgia.

Everyone entering the funeral home for visitations or services must wear a mask and practice social distancing.  A mask must be worn throughout the stay.  You must supply your mask.

Mrs. Velma Thomas Griffin was born on January 19, 1949 in Rochelle, Wilcox County, Georgia to the parentage of the late Mrs. Henrietta Way Edwards and the late Mr. Willie Thomas.

Velma was a caretaker for many families in Rochelle. She helped rear several relatives, neighbors, and members of the community's children. She would make sure that they were well-fed, and also taught them to be respectful to their elders and others by saying "Yes ma'am, or No ma'am" and "Yes sir, or No sir". She had a genuine love for animals. She would take care of the stray cats and dogs that were often dropped off in her yard. On one occasion, she had a stray dog named Fluffy who was very protective of the kids. Fluffy was a chow who loved kids and disliked the smell of liquor and beer to the extent that he would chase anyone who smelled like alcohol or beer, and he would not allow them to come in the yard.

Velma was also an excellent cook. Two of her favorite dishes to prepare were collard greens and lima beans. She was also very hilarious. For example, whenever anyone asked her a question regarding whether or not another person had done something for her, she would respond "Did you?" which she was basically confirming that the person did not perform the task.

Velma was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Willie Frank Griffin. She was preceded in death by her husband; five sisters: Mary Bell Way, Rietta Lee Childs, Louella Thomas, Rena Thomas, and Linnie Mae Young; four brothers: Paul Thomas, Leonard Thomas, Sr., S.T. Way, and Irwin Holmes.

Velma leaves to cherish her memories six sisters: Mrs. Vivian Jean Jackson of Cordele, Georgia, Ms. Irene Way of Pineview, Georgia, Ms. Patricia Way and Ms. Flora Thomas of Atlanta, Georgia, Mrs. Willie Mae Rogers of Decatur,  Georgia and Ms. Barbara Ann McAdoo of Fort Pierce, Florida; five brothers: William "Bill" Edwards, Jr. and Wilbur Thomas of Decatur, Georgia; Sherman (Vanzena) Thomas of Ellenwood, Georgia, Ronnie Thomas of Rochelle, Georgia and Willie (Candi) Thomas, Jr. of Killeen Texas; Special Friends: Rosalind Curry, Edward James Johnson, Jr., Victoria "Dee Dee" Williams, Will Jackson, and Rose Mary Jackson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowing friends.