Velva Jo Nicholas Magness, 96, went peacefully to her Lord and Savior on November 18, 2023, at The Villages of Heritage Oaks in Corsicana. Velva Jo was born in Teague, Texas on May 2, 1927, as the oldest child of Velline Wills Nicholas and E. O. Nicholas.
Velva Jo graduated from Teague High School in 1944. She attended Texas Women’s University and studied fashion design from 1944-1946. She continued her education at Sam Houston State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. She was a schoolteacher in Edinburg, Texas for one year before returning to Teague. Velva Jo taught in the Teague Public Schools from 1951-54.
Velva Jo lived life to the fullest. She was very outgoing, energetic, and never met a stranger. She and her husband at the time, Clifton Magness, Jr., owned and operated the Nicholas and Magness Grocery Market from 1960 until 1971. Her true love was real-estate and she started N-M Real Estate from the mid 1960’s and had that business for many years and thoroughly enjoyed being a real estate broker in her beloved Freestone County. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fairfield, a 50 year member of the DAR, The Red Hat Club, Eastern Star, The Fairfield History Club, The Freestone County Historical Commission, and a past Patron of the Trinity Star Arts Council. One of her proudest honors was being awarded The Boyd Service Cup in 1968. She was so thankful to be recognized for all her efforts promoting Teague and Freestone County.
She cherished playing bridge with friends, gardening, traveling with her RV group, going on cruises, and time spent with her family. Her family will always remember the “themed” holiday celebrations she hosted- memorable moments filled with lots of laughter, unique gifts, and over the top decorations.
Velva Jo was predeceased by her parents, brother E.O.(Nicky) Nicholas and brother-in-law, Glendon Carroll.
Velva Jo is survived by son C.E. Magness and his wife Sherry, son Brent Magness and his wife Tina; grandchildren Cliff Magness and his wife Jennifer, Grant Magness and his wife Rebecca, Jeremy Magness and his wife Megan, Allison Magness Nitto and her husband Jeff; great grandchildren Austin, Alexa, Walker, Tate, Samuel, Brooks, Vivian and Celine; sister Iva Carroll; nieces LaDonna Turner and Vickey Little; nephews Glendon Ray Carroll and Michael Nicholas; numerous cousins and friends.
The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to Sherry Parhm and Shirley Jones for their compassionate care, as well as the staff at The Villages of Heritage Oaks and Hand in Hand Hospice.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to Teague Chamber/Christmas in the Park Fund, P O Box 484, Teague, TX 75860
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the online guestbook or to leave a message for the family.
