Veletta Kay Martindale passed from this world of sorrows and pain into the arms of Jesus on January 9th, 2021. She was born on October 29th, 1952, in Brownwood, Texas to Norma and Roy Michael. Raised in Brownwood, she met and married Emery Martindale in July 1975 at their A-frame house on Lake Brownwood. Soon after, Emery adopted his bride’s daughter Natasha. The following summer, they welcomed a son, Emery Scott Martindale.
Veletta loved to love people. She spent her entire life making a loving home for her family and then opening her house to foster children. Over the course of several years, she fostered over 20 children. Veletta felt a God calling to use whatever resources available to influence children towards the Lord. Many of her foster children accepted Christ and they always continued to have a strong relationship with their adoptive Mother. She was also passionate about preventing drinking and driving. As the founder of the Big Country chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, she spent countless years educating and lobbying for prevention and education of this issue.
Veletta and Emery had an amazing marriage. They spent 25+ years exploring the world and making memories. They shared the shared purpose of impacting the world for God’s glory. Anything and everything was on the table if it helped spread the love of Jesus. So many memories of large gatherings at their house for the church, Austin Avenue Church of Christ. The 3rd row, in front of the preacher was their home base. She faithfully served the church daily. Veletta spent many years teaching the littles in Sunday school and loved volunteering at any function.
She is preceded in death by her parents Norma and Roy Michael, husband Emery Martindale and a daughter Natasha Martindale. She leaves behind a son, Scott Martindale of Southlake, her sisters Peggy Mayfield of Bangs and Glenda Bullard of Fort Worth, stepchildren Shawn McCabe of San Antonio and Trey Martindale of Tennessee, 20+ foster children and four grandsons. The Martindale family would like to expressly thank you for all your prayers, love and support.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Greenleaf Cemetery. Public viewing will be available from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm at Heartland Funeral Home.
The family request that memorials be made to Cherokee Home for Children, PO Box 295, Cherokee, 76832-0295.
Condolences can be offered to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
