Velva Mae Arnold (Tulia)

Tribute to Velva Mae (Thompson) Arnold.

Velva was born on July 25, 1930 in Post, Texas to the late Dillard “Wink” Thompson and Cecil
Morris Thompson. Vel passed away on August 19, 2022 in Tulia, TX, her home for over seven
decades. Vel had four siblings; Joy Thompson, Kenneth Thompson, Gloria Thompson and Patsy
Leonard. Her sister Patsy Leonard of Lubbock, TX survives her. Vel was raised in and around
several Panhandle farming communities and it was during this time that Vel met the love of her
life, Victor Arnold. They married on November 9, 1948 and celebrated 68 years of marriage
together until his passing on November 26, 2015. They raised five wonderful children, all of
whom survive her. They are: Mike Arnold and wife Pam of Ulysses, KS; Celia Haynes and
husband Denny of Tulia, TX; Philip Arnold of Lubbock, TX; Velecia Dee Arnold and partner Doug
Charters of Brownfield, TX; and Vicki Hasley and husband Geoff of Carbondale, CO.

In addition to her children, she is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-
great-grandchildren.

Vel Arnold loved everyone she ever met and they loved her back! Raised in the Methodist
Church with a strong work ethic, forged in a depression era farming family and equipped with a
strong and unshakeable faith in God, she unapologetically lived these traits each and every day.
Vic and Vel moved to Tulia, TX in the early 1950’s and worked side by side through the years in
various endeavors. Prior to her retirement, Vel owned and operated El Matador Restaurant in
Tulia for many years. She loved the restaurant business because she loved people. Lifelong
friendships evolved for many who walked through the door. To those who knew Victor, they
recognized in him an uncompromising determination to lead his family by example to live a
high character life. But to those who knew Vel, it became immediately obvious that the core
strength of their family was due in large part to Vel’s steady presence. They enjoyed traveling,
their faith, their friends and family and dancing...not necessarily in that order.
Vel leaves a beautiful legacy through the many who survive her to perpetuate the extraordinary
values she instilled in them. Although she will be missed exceedingly by her many friends and
loved ones, we are all better people for having known and loved Vel. And to those who TRULY
knew and loved Vel, she would have preferred fewer words and a lot less fuss.

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