Obituary for Haley E. Velie
“Because we knew you, we have been changed for good.”
Haley Elizabeth Velie 12/29/1989-09/20/2021
Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden death of our beloved “Haley
Bear”. Sassy, sarcastic, strong willed, passionate and fun were just a few of the many
beautiful attributes that described Haley. One of her greatest strengths was her
“Steel Trap” mind, never forgetting a single detail and strategically keeping everyone
on their toes. Brave, heroic and kind as the Harry Potter characters that she loved
and admired, Haley’s pursuits for justice of those that she felt were unfairly judged
was unparalleled. She truly believed in the equality of all and was relentless in her
efforts to protect and defend those in need. Her wicked sense of humor was a
respite for all, causing anyone in the path of her contagious laugh to smile and
giggle. She had a unique style that included elaborate, colorful eye makeup that
would make super models jealous, loved classic Marilyn Monroe and Audrey
Hepburn movies, music from the 90’s, fall drinks from Starbucks and Christmas with
her family.
Haley was born in Lake Forest, IL to parents Quinci Stevenson Velie and Willard
Deere Velie. Her brother Charles joined the family in 1991 and a year later they
relocated to Boca Raton Florida. In 1998 the family moved to London, England
where Haley developed a love for travel and adventure and spent several months
touring Europe with her family. In 2003 they moved to Asheville, North Carolina
where Haley attended Carolina Day School. Following graduation, she attended The
University of North Florida, graduating with a degree in Psychology and a
concentration in Autistic Children. Haley loved the big lights and excitement of a
large city and dreamed of living in Chicago. Her dream came true in 2017 when she
and her brother Charles made the move. In 2018 Haley joined the team at The
Hope Learning Academy of Chicago, as a Registered Behavior Technician where she
never missed a single day of work. Haley believed it was important that the children
see a familiar face when the bus arrived to school each day, so she was always the
first to arrive at work and would stand outside to greet all of the students each
morning.
Haley was generous, giving, gracious and noble. She was vivacious, silly, warm,
loving and kind. She had a unique, yet diplomatic way of making you question right
and wrong and she never accepted mediocrity. Haley believed in making the world a
better place by being a better person. She left her handprint on all of our hearts,
living each day caring for those around her and putting the needs of others above
her own. When you were in Haley’s presence, you were truly changed for good.
Haley is survived by her mother, Quinci Velie Johnson and Stepfather, Scott Johnson,
Little Rock, Arkansas, her father Willard Deere Velie, Asheville, North Carolina, her
beloved brother, Charles Velie, Chicago, Illinois and precious younger sister, Graeson
Johnson, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Maternal grandparents Marion and Redding Stevenson, Little Rock, Arkansas, Aunts;
Steele Stevenson and husband, Ted Smith, Fairfax, Virginia and
Julia Stevenson, Little Rock, .Arkansas.
Paternal Grandparents; Ann and Charlie Velie, Delray Beach, Florida, Uncle Decker
Velie and wife Bonnie, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Aunts; Mary Scott, Naples, Florida
and Lisa Leach, Vero Beach, Florida. Haley’s Best and most cherished friend, Elliott
Belue and her very special, “second” sister, Pooja Neogi as well as countless cousins
and friends.
In Lieu of flowers, we kindly request that donations be made to the Hope Learning
Academy of Chicago (https://hope.us/programs/hope-chicago/) or the Autism
Society of Chicago (https://www.autism-society.org/).
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas
on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 3:00pm. Virtual streaming of the memorial can be
viewed via: www.trinitylittlerock.org/worship-and-music/worship-schedule
Haley Elizabeth Velie 12/29/1989-09/20/2021
Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden death of our beloved “Haley
Bear”. Sassy, sarcastic, strong willed, passionate and fun were just a few of the many
beautiful attributes that described Haley. One of her greatest strengths was her
“Steel Trap” mind, never forgetting a single detail and strategically keeping everyone
on their toes. Brave, heroic and kind as the Harry Potter characters that she loved
and admired, Haley’s pursuits for justice of those that she felt were unfairly judged
was unparalleled. She truly believed in the equality of all and was relentless in her
efforts to protect and defend those in need. Her wicked sense of humor was a
respite for all, causing anyone in the path of her contagious laugh to smile and
giggle. She had a unique style that included elaborate, colorful eye makeup that
would make super models jealous, loved classic Marilyn Monroe and Audrey
Hepburn movies, music from the 90’s, fall drinks from Starbucks and Christmas with
her family.
Haley was born in Lake Forest, IL to parents Quinci Stevenson Velie and Willard
Deere Velie. Her brother Charles joined the family in 1991 and a year later they
relocated to Boca Raton Florida. In 1998 the family moved to London, England
where Haley developed a love for travel and adventure and spent several months
touring Europe with her family. In 2003 they moved to Asheville, North Carolina
where Haley attended Carolina Day School. Following graduation, she attended The
University of North Florida, graduating with a degree in Psychology and a
concentration in Autistic Children. Haley loved the big lights and excitement of a
large city and dreamed of living in Chicago. Her dream came true in 2017 when she
and her brother Charles made the move. In 2018 Haley joined the team at The
Hope Learning Academy of Chicago, as a Registered Behavior Technician where she
never missed a single day of work. Haley believed it was important that the children
see a familiar face when the bus arrived to school each day, so she was always the
first to arrive at work and would stand outside to greet all of the students each
morning.
Haley was generous, giving, gracious and noble. She was vivacious, silly, warm,
loving and kind. She had a unique, yet diplomatic way of making you question right
and wrong and she never accepted mediocrity. Haley believed in making the world a
better place by being a better person. She left her handprint on all of our hearts,
living each day caring for those around her and putting the needs of others above
her own. When you were in Haley’s presence, you were truly changed for good.
Haley is survived by her mother, Quinci Velie Johnson and Stepfather, Scott Johnson,
Little Rock, Arkansas, her father Willard Deere Velie, Asheville, North Carolina, her
beloved brother, Charles Velie, Chicago, Illinois and precious younger sister, Graeson
Johnson, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Maternal grandparents Marion and Redding Stevenson, Little Rock, Arkansas, Aunts;
Steele Stevenson and husband, Ted Smith, Fairfax, Virginia and
Julia Stevenson, Little Rock, .Arkansas.
Paternal Grandparents; Ann and Charlie Velie, Delray Beach, Florida, Uncle Decker
Velie and wife Bonnie, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Aunts; Mary Scott, Naples, Florida
and Lisa Leach, Vero Beach, Florida. Haley’s Best and most cherished friend, Elliott
Belue and her very special, “second” sister, Pooja Neogi as well as countless cousins
and friends.
In Lieu of flowers, we kindly request that donations be made to the Hope Learning
Academy of Chicago (https://hope.us/programs/hope-chicago/) or the Autism
Society of Chicago (https://www.autism-society.org/).
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas
on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 3:00pm. Virtual streaming of the memorial can be
viewed via: www.trinitylittlerock.org/worship-and-music/worship-schedule