Velesa Violeta Sullivan

Velesa Violeta Sullivan radiated joy and filled any space she entered with her sparkling personality and the warmth of her kindness. All those who loved her suffered a great loss when she unexpectedly passed away on December 9, 2022 in Granbury, Texas, after a short, courageous battle with cancer; but heaven received the great gain of one of the Lord’s most beautiful, good, and faithful servants.

From her striking red hair, playful freckles, broad smile, and sparkling hazel eyes to her bubbling conversation spontaneously punctuated with outbursts of laughter, there was nothing dull about Velesa. Time spent with her meant you had her complete attention and sincere interest in everything from the happenings of your day right down to the deepest cares and troubles of your heart. Wherever she went she touched people with her genuine affection and constantly added to her treasure trove of friends. Once there, you were loyally cherished and made to feel by Velesa like you were the best and most important of them all.

Velesa was born in Hammelburg, Germany, on May 26, 1954, to Sgt. Athanie A. Lewis and Elfriede Mueller Lewis, and she and her sister, Veera, spent their childhood in Germany and Killeen, Texas. When she was 14, Velesa welcomed a younger brother, Vince, to whom she acted as a sort of second mother. Velesa graduated from Killeen High School in 1972, where she earned titles from pageant queen “Miss Flame” to class valedictorian.  At Texas A&M University, her magnetic personality landed her as an anchor for the campus TV channel, and in 1976 she graduated with a degree in Journalism. From there she embarked on a successful career in marketing and public relations in Houston, Texas. It was there in 1977 where she met the love of her life, Patrick Sullivan, after he happened to knock on her apartment door in search of a corkscrew. He was instantly captured by her outer and inner beauty. They were married that same year and remained each other’s best friends for the next 45 years, all the while lovingly raising their two daughters, Erin and Kathleen. Velesa later transitioned into a career as a high school English teacher, during which she poured out her passion, wisdom and encouragement into her many students and fellow teachers.

Velesa was devoted to her husband, and she and Pat were always together, whether dancing and eating out on the town with friends, adventuring around the world, or simply sitting together at home enjoying the comfort and familiarity of each other’s company. Her greatest joy was found in pouring her time and love into her daughters and, later, her six grandchildren—reading to them, drawing paper dolls and pictures, planning elaborate birthday parties, crafting, sewing, watching movies, and making ice cream sundaes. Velesa was a talented writer and water colorist and enjoyed walking with friends and watching the sunset at her homes in Granbury and New Braunfels, Texas. She loved her savior Jesus Christ and was an active member at Zion Lutheran Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Grace Fellowship Church in Katy, Texas; and Acton United Methodist and Anchor Fellowship churches in Granbury.

She will be deeply missed by her husband, Pat Sullivan; daughter Erin and son-in-law Tanner Haynes; daughter Kathleen and son-in-law Shane Pendleton; grandchildren Ailee, Summer, Joleen, Mason, and Macrae Haynes, and Roan Pendleton; brothers Vince Lewis and Richard Gregory; niece Leslie Goodwin and great nieces Emma and Savannah Goodwin; brother- and sister-in-law Terry Sullivan and Elizabeth Manning; and niece Melissa Parks. She was preceded in death by her father Retired 1st Sgt. Athanie Lewis; mother, Elfriede Lewis; sister, Veera and brother-in-law Alan Roddy; and father- and mother-in-law Elvis and Isabel Sullivan.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service for Velesa on Friday, December 16, 2022 at 11:00 am at Acton United Methodist church, followed by a graveside service at Acton Cemetery in Granbury. A viewing will be held the preceding day, Thursday, December 15, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Wiley Funeral Home, 400 E US Hwy 377, Granbury, Texas, 76048.

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