Velma Broadnax's Obituary
Velma Broadnax, 91, of Autaugaville, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the residence of her son in Chattanooga. She was born on January 1, 1934, to the late Brooks and Minnie Cora Hall Broadnax in Autaugaville, Alabama. At an early age, she became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. Later, she united with Greater St. Joseph AME Church where she started the first youth choir. She served as an usher and an adult choir member over the years until she became unable to attend on a regular basis. She was also a member of the Rising Star Society. In early 2024, when her health declined, she moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and became a Watch Care Member of Spring of Living Water Bible Baptist Church where her son, Dr. Jessie Broadnax, is the Pastor. Velma worked at Crystal Lake Manufacturing Co. for more than 30 years before retiring. Life was difficult raising five children as a single parent, but she took pride in watching them grow up to become successful and productive adults. She would always say “these children are mine and are my responsibility and I am going to take care of them, no matter what.” She was able to do this with only a 9th grade education but had a strong will and determination. She told her kids that she always regretted not finishing high school because she was a good student but had to drop out of school to work on the farm. Therefore, education was important, and she urged the children to go further. Velma’s work ethic was unmatched, and she passed those traits along to her children. The highlight of every year was Thanksgiving when all the family would gather at her house. She would smile from ear to ear because “the children were all in the same place again”. Those were truly special moments. Velma was preceded in death by her parents; son, Major George Broadnax; sisters, Ophelia Golson and Ethel Motley Wright; brothers, Eddie (Shug), William (Bill) and Shannon Broadnax; and grandson, Calvin Benson Jr. Loved ones left to cherish her memories are children: Drs. Jessie (Sarah) Broadnax of Chattanooga, TN, Larry (Roise) Broadnax, Theodore (Syletta) Broadnax, both of Atlanta, GA, and Linda (Hank) Johnson of Hephzibah, GA; daughter in-law, Rhonda Broadnax of Demopolis, AL; grandchildren: Tonya Broadnax Whaley, Syletta (Valitus) Broadnax Edwards, Jessica Broadnax, LeTeeshia Broadnax Irvin, Christopher Broadnax, Geronda Broadnax, Kimberly Broadnax, Gabrielle Dickson, and Jonathan Dickson; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters: Gloria Jean Mitchell of Pittsburg, PA and Laberta Taylor of Autaugaville, AL; sister in-law, Bessie Broadnax of Chattanooga; brother, Samuel Broadnax of Minneapolis, MN; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; special friends; neighbors; and extended family members include the entire family of the late John Lee Palmer Sr.: Joseph & Pat Howard family, Palmers, Chappell’s, Douglas, Trammell, Minors and church family and friends. Funeral service will be Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12 noon at Greater St. Joseph AME Church in Autaugaville, Alabama. Burial in Walter Jones Cemetery. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc. and Davis Funeral Home, 362 Walnut Street, Prattville, Alabama 36067.
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