December 22, 1919 -to May 12, 2013
Almedia Verna Hutchinson (Al) beloved mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on Mother's Day May 12, 2013 at the Convalescent Care Center in Lompoc.
A true warrior with an abundant reservoir of faith and strength she waged a courageous battle with multiple myeloma as well as other age-related medical issues. She was 93. Her incredible life journey began on December 22, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born to parents Walter and Lillian Jones. She had two brothers Evan and Robert. Evan would go on to become an officer in the army and Robert (Bobby) a police officer with the NYPD.
The family relocated to McDonough Street in Brooklyn where Al attended secondary school. She graduated from East Orange High School after the family relocated to East Orange, New Jersey. She went on to attend Columbia University.
She was considered to be ahead of her time and made an impact as a woman of color in the Army Air Corps in World War II
Almedia went into the Army Air Corp in 1943 as a dental tech. She went on to work at the Pentagon and was rumored to a have given a Betty Davis smack to a colonel who disagreed with her politics!
She was awarded the American Service Medal, The Good Conduct Medal, the WAAC service ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. She was eventually transferred to the beautiful spa town of Wiesbaden, Germany. It was there that she met Vincent Theodore (Ted)Hutchinson was also in the Air Force and a fellow New Yorker from Harlem. They enjoyed a fairytale wedding in Basel, Switzerland. Vincent (Ted) loved to drive and Al loved to travel. They visited nearly every European country and were stationed in Chatteroux France for a time. Ted sang in the Wiesbaden Opera and Almedia was a popular socialite in Wiesbaden's military and civilian circles.
Ted and Almedia were blessed with two boys; Tim was born in Wiesbaden and Brian who was born in Springfield Massachusetts during their time at Westover Air Force Base.
After two tours in Germany, the family went on to have stays at Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque New Mexico, Vandenberg Air Force Base and Ramstein Air Force Base in Kaiserslautern Germany.
After raising two boys she returned to work at Vandenberg as a procurement clerk with the 30th contracting squadron. Described as one-of-a-kind by coworkers and friends she was full of spunk and pluck with dimples that took her long way!
She continued to travel visiting the Philippines, Hong Kong, China and QVC! She loved to spend Christmases in New York with her sons and family. She loved Radio City Music Hall, Fifth Avenue, The Russian Tea Room and having lunch at the Plaza Hotel in Central Park. She was on a first name basis with the employees of Bullocks Wilshire, Robinson's, Nordstrom's and her beloved Macy's. She saw life through rose colored glasses and could light up a room and hearts with her smile. She was the definition of a "People Person"! She will always be an inspiration and someone whom you'll never forget.
If there is a Sax Fifth Avenue in Heaven she's shopping there right now. We love you mom, thank you for showing us the world!
The family would like to thank God for his grace, St. Mary's Episcopal Church Lompoc EMT ,The Lodge of Lompoc, Dr. Strait and Sansum Clinic, The CCC ,Barbara English and Hospice assisted, The women of the 30th Contracting Squadron, beloved family and friends for your love and support!
Celebration of life service with military honors will be held Saturday, June 15th@1pm at St.Marys' Episcopal Church.2800 Harris Grade Road Lompoc
Ca. 93436.