Homegoing services for Mrs. Velma Joy Coody Normand Gass will be held on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Sanctuary of Praise Church, Pineville, Louisiana with Bishop David Roberts, Rev. David Kimsey and Rev. Robin Johnson officiating. Private family burial will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Lone Pine Cemetery, Bentley, La. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Sanctuary of Praise Church from 3:00 p.m. until service time at 7:00 p.m., under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home and Crematory, Ball, Louisiana.
Velma was born July 5, 1943 in Bentley, LA. As a child she resided in several local communities with her family building churches. This included Bentley, Camp Eight, Jena, Ball, and Esler Field. She was a graduate of the 1961 graduating class of Tioga High School. Velma attended Bolton Beauty School served as a Cosmologist in Alexandria, Tioga, and Ball for 43 years. She married Cordell A. Normand, Sr. and gave birth to Tony and Tammy J. Normand. She was also a mother to her nephew Kenneth R. Killian. December 27, 1997 she married Joe Gass. He was a loving companion to Velma and was by her side as she stepped over into the Land of Glory Sunday, March 11, 2018.
Velma was true Christian and loved people. She taught Sunday School as well as youth ministry at Ball UPC, Esler Field, and Pineville Sanctuary of Praise. She taught numerous Bible studies that had a tremendous impact on many people and ultimately won them to the Lord. She served as a mentor to multiple men and women of God that ministered around the world. Velma also traveled the country as a member of the singing group “The Apostolic Messengers”.
In 1978 she, along with her sister, Loraine Moore and her brother-in-law, Clyde Moore, opened Creative Concept Beauty Salon in Ball, Louisiana, which she managed for 40 years. She mentored many of her employees and clients and was very influential in their lives.
Velma enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling with her family and friends. She loved people and was always interested in their lives.
Velma Joy Coody Normand Gass was preceded in death by her sisters Shelby Jean
Coody, Vivian Lucille Coody (deceased as infants) Loraine Coody Moore, father Reverend R.W. Coody and mother Bertha Beavers Coody.
She is survived by her husband of 20 years Joe Monroe Gass, Jr., Robbie Dea Coody (sister), her children Tony Normand (Tonya), Tammy J. Normand Wallace (Tim), Kenneth R. Killian (Rhonda), step son Joe M. Gass III, grandchildren: Robert Blake Killian, Zackery G. Paul, Brittany L. Normand, Kallie M. Killian, Taylor B. Paul, and five great grandchildren Benjamin B. Killian, Audrey B. Killian, Brantley R. Willis, Everett R. Paul, Vinnie S. Venturini and a host of nieces and nephews.