Thelma Velez

Thelma L. Velez, age 80, a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, passed away at her home on April 12, 2013, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her son, Mark Garrett and wife Kim of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Matthew, Tyler, and Kaitlyn Garrett of Albuquerque; her brothers, Johnny Johnson and wife Nancy of Phoenix, AZ, Phillip Johnson of Albuquerque, Gary Johnson and wife Gloria of Albuquerque, and many nieces and nephews living throughout the country. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Velez; and her beloved dog, Charlie. Thelma was a true native of Albuquerque. She was born on February 27, 1933 to her Navajo father John Bahe Johnson, and Acoma mother Josephine Hunt. She kept close ties to family in Acoma Pueblo, Santa Ana Pueblo, and Indian Wells, AZ. As a child she participated in many traditional ceremonies and parades. She was a graduate of Albuquerque High School, class of 1950. She was a dedicated civil servant with 36 years of service to the US Army, DOD DASA, US Air Force, with a majority of her career working as a senior investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Memorial Services will be held Friday, April 19, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming. For family or friends who wish, memorial contributions may be made to either The New Mexico Coalition for Literacy www.newmexicoliteracy.org , or Animal Humane of New Mexico www.animalhumanenm.org .