Velveeta G. Walden, 71, of Odessa, Florida.

Velveeta G. Walden, affectionately called Vel, was born January 9, 1948 in Washington, D.C. to Ellen Thomas. She transitioned to eternal life at her home in Odessa, Florida on September 21, 2019.

Velveeta was educated in the Charles County public school system, graduating from Pomonkey High School in 1966.   Velveeta met the love of her life, James G. Walden, while he was attending a training session at the Naval Ordnance Station in Indian Head, Maryland, where she was employed. They were joined in marriage on February 15, 1975.

Velveeta's employment history includes various nursing home centers as she moved with her husband throughout his military career and after his retirement from active duty in Florida. Velveeta began a business as a barber/hairstylist while living in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The business was called "Vel's Cuts and Curls."  She was also formerly employed by Tampa Health Care Center. Her proudest accomplishments were becoming a Nationally Certified Activities Director and enriching the lives of the nursing home residents she served. Velveeta felt honored to serve as primary care provider to her mother-in-law during her last years of life. She was passionate about enriching the lives of persons in the twilight of their days.

Velveeta loved and was most proud of her family and was dedicated to the people in her life. Velveeta would want to be remembered as someone who put family first and foremost. Her grandmother, Margaret Thomas, grandfather, Wilmer Thomas and Aunt Portia Miles had the most influence in her life. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and traveling to Maryland and Ohio. Velveeta loved to read, her favorite authors were, Maya Angelou, Terry McMillan, Toni Morrison and Bebe Moore Campbell. She would say to this and future generations, put down your phones, pick up a book by one of these authors and read their timeless and still relevant stories about life and love. She was fun-loving, loquacious, dedicated, driven and strong-willed. She believed in living life to the fullest. Velveeta leaves mementos from her travels and photographs through the years chronicling important events and people in her life.

Velveeta was preceded in death by her grandparents; Margaret and Allison Wilmer Thomas, mother-in-law, Carrie Callahan, father-in-law, John Walden, uncles, Allison Thomas, Earl Thomas and James Thomas.

Velveeta leaves to cherish precious memories, her husband, James G. Walden, sons; Troy A. Johnson and Tracy E. Johnson, granddaughter, Alexandria C. Johnson, mother, Ellen Spruell, step father, Eugene Spruell, sisters-in-law; Joan Roach and Karen Callahan, brothers-in-law; Floyd Roach, Dennis Callahan and Alonzo Callahan, aunt, Portia Miles and great aunt, Evelyn Lowe, uncle, Frank Miles, nieces and nephews; Erica Freeman, Hope Callahan, Jay Walden, Robert Freeman, Adam Callahan and many cousins, other relatives and friends.

Her Viewing will be, 10:00 am, until time of Service, 11:00 am, Wednesday, October 2, 2019 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment, Heritage Memorial Cemetery, 13472 Poplar Hill Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601.