Velma Mae "Pat" Thomason

Velma Mae (Pat) Thomason, 90, formerly of Cullman died peacefully Oct. 30, in Buda, Texas. She was born June 13, 1934, to Luther and Mary Patterson in Horton, Alabama. Pat attended Holly Pond High School and graduated in 1952. She married John Thomason on March 28, 1953. They were married for 58 years until John's passing in 2011. They had two children, Wade and Vanessa. During Johns 20-year military career, she lived in California, Great Britain, Maine and Florida. In 1970, they returned home to Cullman, where she lived until moving to Texas in 2017 to be with her children and grandchildren. She worked for many years in the Head Start program in Cullman as a teacher and administrator. She touched many lives and influenced students as well as parents. She believed in respect and discipline. But she also loved people and had a big heart. She was active in the Republican Party for many years. She served as State Treasurer of the Alabama Republican Women and volunteered countless hours working for local, state, and national candidates. She was well respected and known for being able to get things done. She was asked by Governor Guy Hunt to be the Ombudsman for the Office of the Governor. She accepted and served in that capacity until 1993. As Ombudsman, she worked tirelessly supervising staff and represented the State of Alabama in several roles. One of these was as ambassador to Elba in south Alabama after a flood had destroyed their town. She routinely attended meetings in Washington, D.C. and was a valued and trusted member of the governors staff. Pat was a hard-working individual who believed in serving the less fortunate to create a better world. She served as a board member as well as board chair of the Margaret Jean Jones Center for many years. The organization helps individuals with disabilities learn to live independently and become productive citizens. Under her leadership resident homes were established for clients, including the one which bears her name. The Pat Thomason House is and will always be, part of her legacy in Cullman. She was involved in volunteerism throughout her life. Serving the community as a leader in Civitans, The Countys 310 Board, Business and Professional Women (BPW) and Hilltop Garden Club, just to name a few. She was a polling official on voting days, working to ensure a fair and honest election. As a lifelong Baptist, she attended Baldwin Heights Baptist Church for many years, as well as First Baptist Church of Cullman, before finding her final church home at Lake Catoma Baptist Church. She had many friends there and was involved with Vacation Bible School, and many other activities. Pat is survived by her son, Wade (Loretta) Thomason; daughter, Vanessa (Marvin) Zelitt; grandchildren, Brooke (Dustin) Thornton, Larry Foster, Jr., Lindsey Thomason, Alex Thomason and Zach Thomason; great-grandchildren, Porter Baker, Oliver Heathman, Amri Sustatia, Devin Foster, Milly Foster and Faith Reynolds; sister-in-law, Carol Patterson; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Thomason; parents, Luther and Mary Patterson; and siblings, John Herbert Patterson, Hobert Patterson, Clyde Patterson, Lavada Patsy Ellard and Edward Cleo Patterson. Visitation will be Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home, 255 County Road 1435, Cullman, AL 35058. Funeral services will be following at 11 a.m. at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home with Brother Bobby Crawford officiating. Interment will follow at Cullman City Cemetery, 9th Street SW, Cullman, AL 35055. Pallbearers will be Mike Patterson, Dustin Thornton, Lindsey Thomason, Alex Thomason, Zach Thomason, Porter Baker and Devin Foster.

Velma Mae "Pat" Thomason

June 13, 1934 - October 30, 2024