Velma Hatley

Heaven gained a new angel Thursday, November 28, shortly before 11:30 a.m. Velma Bowlin Hatley, 84, was surrounded by her family and had been for days, pain free and at peace.Up until about 2 days before she passed, even though she could hardly speak, she was still singing songs with family and friends, and picking on the staff at Brockford Inn Assisted Living, and telling everyone she loved them. She would sing “I love you a bushel and a peck...” and her favorite hymn “Amazing Grace.”Even though her speech was not clear as dementia had ravaged her body, we all knew what she was saying.We all could feel her love.” She was ready “to go home to Jesus.”She loved life and she loved her family, but above everything she loved Her Jesus. In the past month she said “I am ready to go home.” Her entire life epitomized the love of Jesus to her family and to everyone she met, right up to the end with the staff at Brockford Inn who became her friends, not just caregivers. “Our prayers have been that she would leave this world asleep, pain free, at peace, surrounded by her family and other loved ones, and that she would still know us all. And that is how she left this world.” Tremendous thanks for staff at Brockford Inn Alzheimer’s and Dementia center for caring and loving Mom. We were blessed to have Mom there. They treated Mom like family, with respect, dignity and love.And Mom felt loved and safe there. When Mom returned there after being in the hospital last time, she held onto the hands of the staff and smiled, at times touching some of their faces. Staff, one after the other, visited with her and held her hands and told her they were glad she was home, that they had missed her, and that they loved her.Truly these caregivers are angels on earth.We love you all. Thanks to Caldwell Hospice as well in the last few days for the graceful, gentle, loving care you gave Mom. We are thankful you were there for Mom. Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Jane Bowlin; all of siblings; and great-grandchild, Kinsley Church. She is survived by Patricia Hatley; Dean Hatley; Phyllis Broyhill; Gary Hatley; Larry Hatley; Pamela Benfield; Debra Grindstaff; Darryl Hatley; Michael Hatley; Ronald Hatley; and Jason Hatley; 24 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson. A memorial service celebrating Velma’s life will be held in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 1:30 PM with Pastor Randy Baker officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:30 until 1:30 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Caldwell Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC28645.