Onelda "Vell" L. (Johnson) Hite

Onelda Lovell (Johnson) Hite, affectionally known as “Vell”, was born January 21, 1947, in Muskegon, Michigan to John W. Johnson and Ottry L. (Howell) Johnson. She was the oldest of her four siblings. Vell graduated from North Muskegon High School and attended Muskegon Community College.

She accepted Christ at an early age. Onelda was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit at Christ Temple Apostolic Church in Muskegon Heights, MI where she served faithfully for many years.

Vell was united in Holy Matrimony to Samuel Thomas Hite in June of 1978 and relocated to Indianapolis, IN. Sam and Vell were blessed to share 43 years of marriage. To this union three beautiful children were born: Samuel Jr., Mark and Leah.

She attended Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Faith Church where she has been a dedicated and faithful member for over forty years. She was employed by Indianapolis Public Schools where she worked as an instructional assistant until retirement.

Vell was a woman of many gifts and talents, but her true passion was her love for those she served in the deaf ministry and community. This made her a lifelong student of ASL (American Sign Language), as she was constantly learning how to better her skills as an interpreter. Because of her diligence, Vell became an exceptional Interpreter. The drive for perfecting her craft, coupled with her passion for serving and advocating in the deaf community brought numerous awards of recognition and accolades for achievements. Based upon these accomplishments, Vell was assigned as the deaf ministry leader where she served for many years. She was also awarded a position as a sign language interpreter for the deaf ministry within the Pentecostal Assemblies of The World Inc. where she traveled extensively within the United States faithfully serving for decades, doing what she loved.

Vell was a caring, kind soul who loved people and never met a stranger. She was known for her sweet and humble spirit and always having a word of encouragement to give with plenty of compliments to go around.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ottry; father, John Johnson Sr.; and her brother, John Johnson Jr.

She leaves her cherished memories to her husband, Samuel Thomas Hite; two sons, Samuel Hite Jr. and Mark Hite; daughter, Leah Rosenthall (Randall); four grandchildren: Azeem Hite, Randall Jr., Ryan and Layla Rosenthall; brother, Tyrone Johnson; sister, Vivian Buchner (Edward). She was loved by many and had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, loving family, devoted friends and embraced many as her very own.