Ada Vernez (Thompson) Hansford

Ada Vernez (Thompson) Hansford was born to the late Ollie “Boose” Thompson and Lillie Mae (Jones) Thompson on July 13, 1931, in Caldwell, Texas. The third of seven children born to this union, she transitioned to eternity with her Lord on August 25, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.

She resided in Caldwell for 10 years, attending Teals Prairie Elementary School. The family then moved to Houston in search of a better life. This move allowed Ada to attend Trinity Garden Elementary and earn her high school diploma from Phyllis Wheatley High School. Upon graduation from high school, Ada furthered her education at Prairie View A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. She also met her lifetime sweetheart, Willie Henry Hansford, at Prairie View.

Ada did her graduate studies at North Texas State and Texas Southern University. She worked hard as an educator, beginning her career at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary in 1955. After her first year, she then married her college sweetheart on July 22, 1956. Willie and Ada moved to Dallas, where she taught for 37 years before retiring in 1992. After retiring, she could not be stopped. Ada started her own floral business, Ada’s Sparks of Nature, where she let her passion for art and floral design flourish for almost 20 years.

Ada accepted Christ at a young age and remained steadfast in her faith. She was an active member of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for over 40 years. Being an adamant stewardess for Christ, Ada took on many different roles and responsibilities in the church, including being the Wedding Coordinator for many New Mount Zion members; starting the tutoring group, Operation Intellect; serving as President of Mission II, a bible study class focused on outreach and ministry; and becoming a prominent Sunday School teacher for many years. She was also committed to her community, as she served as a Blue Bird Group Leader for the Girl Scouts of America and participated in groups and organizations such as the Top Ladies of Distinction Hamilton Park Civic League of which she served as Vice President for many years. She was part of the neighborhood Beautification Committee where she made sure Christmas around her neighborhood was a jovial sight to see every year.

A deeply spiritual woman, offering help or just a short word of kindness to anyone she met, Ada believed in giving God the glory. Her generous and compassionate nature led her to become close with many people, and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 

Ada was preceded in death by her loving husband, Willie H. Hansford; parents, Ollie and Lillie Mae (Jones) Thompson; and siblings - Ollie Thompson, Jr., Patricia Potter Jackson, Norris Thompson, Valvert Thompson, and Marie Daniel.

Those left to cherish sweet memories include her beloved daughter, Mignon Denise (Hansford) Jones; her grandchildren, Alvin Jones (Sayuka) and  Alexander Jones; her sister, Verlene Edmond;  and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly.

As we remember Ada Hansford, we should strive to better the lives of those around us, and leave a lasting impact that goes on and on beyond our years. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.