Palestine High School Alumni Association

10 / 22 / 1929  –  10 / 10 / 2019

Veleria Lorraine (Hickman) Gandy, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at her home in Elgin, Texas, with her family at her side.

Veleria was born in Palestine, Texas on Oct. 22, 1929. After graduating from Palestine High School, she attended Henderson County Junior College in Athens, Texas and then later in life she completed her education at Texas State University (back then it was Southwest Texas State University).  She spent most of her life caring for her family and her flowers. She was a longtime member of the Federated Women’s Club of Texas.  She also was very active in the African Violet Society and Garden Club in Marshall, Texas.  While living in Marshall she worked as a real estate agent/broker.

Veleria was preceded in death by her parents, William A. Hickman Sr. and Nancy Ann (Hogg) Hickman; and her sister, Mary Helen (Hickman) Manning.

She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Cecil M. Gandy; and her son, Morris Gandy and wife, Donna of Austin, Texas; brother, William A. Hickman Jr. and wife, Peggy of Athens, Texas and his daughters, Rhonda Blount-Coggins and husband, Carl of Andrews, Texas and Cheryl Conklin and husband, Doug of McAlester, Okla. and their children. She also has numerous nieces and nephews from the Gandy family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice Austin or the charitable organization of your choice.

Veleria’s life will be honored at a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012,  officiated by her nephew, Danny Gandy at Zion Hill Church in Walton, Texas.

Condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W. William Cannon Dr., Austin, Texas 78749, 512-892-1172.