Velma Lois Mallory
September 4, 1927 - February 13, 2021

Velma Lois Harvey Mallory entered into rest, and gained her wings on February 13, 2021. She was born in Waco, Texas on September 4, 1927. She was the 4th child of Bertha Izora Murphree and John Wesley Harvey. Her beautiful stories of growing up in her large family, will be held close to our hearts forever. Her love of school was treasured, and she could tell you almost every teacher by name. She attended Waco schools, and loved Waco High, where her greatest joy was playing the French Horn in the band, but always wanted to be a part of any activities. After graduating high school, she attended Baylor University.
She married the only person she ever loved and shared a wonderful life with, Jesse Arnold Mallory, Jr. Knowing Arnold was the one, she traveled to California with her mother where he was stationed in the Navy to marry. When Arnold was discharged from the Navy, they moved back to Waco, TX where they were both born, and resided until 1960 when a job moved them to El Paso, TX for 2 years. They returned to central Texas where they settled in Austin, Texas in 1962. Owning their own business, Mallory Camping Center, they earned with sales many trips to destinations around the world. One sweet memory is extending a trip to Paris to visit the Bonnets, her brother Bobby's in-laws. Their love of the mountains led them to build a home in Ruidoso, NM, for 32 years, where so many memories were made. Most memorable was a trip she and her sister Jessie took to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Petra in 1999, arranged by Jessie's son Larry Kelso as he lived there. She always described as a "trip of a lifetime". She kept a detailed journal of all the exciting memories, for which we will treasure forever.
She and her family became members of Congress Avenue Baptist Church in 1962, where she held many positions. Some being a Sunday School teacher, Bible school teacher, served on the finance committee and prepared the sack lunches for many years. Her memories of her church include witnessing and bringing many to know the Lord, marriages and deaths, most memorable saying goodbye to her wonderful husband Jesse, in 1996. Her Bible was a read daily, and she shared this with many, including her caregivers.
Velma started out with becoming a Rainbow Girl as a teen, followed by many years in the Eastern Star. She served and held the position of all the star points and other, but most honorable as Worthy Matron, where Jesse served beside her as Worthy Patron. She was most proud of learning she was a 6th generation Texan, becoming a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Her Harvey-Murphree family are now a 10th generation Texas family. She left family footprints by buying a paver at the Capitol of Texas when offered for the restoration. She honored Jesse, for which he would be so proud, with a paver at the Dallas Arlington Stadium. The last is a paver at the Cradle, in Galveston, TX, birthplace of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
She was a true native of Texas, where family came first, but had many friends and acquaintances from all walks of life. She seldom missed a play, sport game or program, supporting her grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her loving dedicated devotion she showed to her family, enjoying everything they did and making wonderful memories. Sunday after church, there was a family meal, finished off with Dallas Cowboy football games, with grandchildren running around happy and making memories. Holidays were very special, and the memories are etched in all of our lives. The example that she showed her family will live on forever. We smile when we find ourselves using tender but teaching words in our daily lives. She had a sweet way of speaking to teach us life's lessons, as she lived it and showed us by example. If we ever had weak moments, she showed us strength through her walk with God, her faith un-ending. Velma wanted to be called Grandmother, but somehow it came out as "Graum-Graum", for which she was well known by her grand and great-grandchildren, who loved her dearly.
She is survived by her sisters, Jessie Poindexter of Burleson, TX, Bessie Collins and husband Clark Collins of Robinson, TX; her children, daughter, Shari Maxa and husband Anthony, children Jennifer Monaghan, Austin Monaghan and Bobby Maxa; son, Randy Mallory and wife Tina, children Tara Nichole Mallory, Perry Dominquez, and Hannah Dominquez; and son Gregory Mallory and wife Brenda, children Kenny, Lennon and Kayley Mallory and 16 great-grandchildren.
Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Arnold Mallory; 3 grandsons, Rhett Colby Mallory, Justin Ray Mallory, and Gregory Ryan Mallory as well as her parents, John Wesley Harvey and Bertha Izora Murphree-Harvey, a sister, Lucille Ducas, and 4 brothers, James Coston Harvey, Leonard Ray Harvey, John Wesley Harvey, Jr, and Bobby Joel Harvey.
Her children and family thank everyone that contributed to showing her love through her whole life. Special thank you to the loving care she was shown at Sodalis Assisted Living, her family will forever be thankful.
Pallbearers will be Francois Harvey, Lennan Mallory, Kenny Mallory, Austin Monaghan, Kyler Monaghan, Bobby Maxa, Perry Dominquez, Tara Mallory, Jesse Baker and Kirk Van Zandt. Honorary pallbearers, Larry Kelso, Ken Van Zandt, Ted Jaynes, Mickey Cardwell, Clyde Ray Devers, and Donny Joel Harvey. In Memory Honorary Pallbearers are Jimmy Harvey and Wesley Ray Harvey.
Visitation will be held 4:00-6:00 PM on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Harrell Funeral Home. Services will be held 10:00 AM on Monday, March 1, 2021 at The Church on Congress Avenue. The burial will follow at Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

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