July 27, 1931 – January 19, 2026
Claudia Vernelle Hoskins, 94, longtime resident of Friendswood, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Vernelle was born on July 27, 1931, in Dawson County, Texas, to parents Clyde Vandell Ball and Clara Belle Campbell. She was the oldest of four children and grew up in Loop, Texas until the age of 13. In her later years, she often referred to Loop as the most beautiful place she had ever been. She had special memories of growing up on the family farm in West Texas, where her chores included “everything but yard work”. She “watched younger siblings, cooked, did laundry, and cleaned the floors”.
In 1945 the family moved “into town,” settling in Brownfield, Texas, where they lived for two years. In the summer of 1947, the family moved to Lamesa, Texas. Vernelle graduated from Lamesa High School in the spring of 1948, the same year she met the love of her life, Edwin Wayne Hoskins. They were both 16 years old. That fall, Vernelle began attending Abilene Christian College at the age of 17, while Ed enrolled at Texas A&M. They were married in Lamesa, Texas on December 21, 1951. Their lifelong commitment to one another was an example to many.
After graduating from Abilene Christian College with a degree in Home Economics, Vernelle worked in the chemistry labs at Texas A&M, researching and collecting data on grain grown in Texas while waiting for Ed to graduate. After Ed graduated, he entered the U.S. Air Force, and Vernelle became an “officer’s wife.” She took this role seriously, reading many books and manuals on the conduct of an officer’s wife, including topics such as entertaining, community involvement, appearance (hats and gloves), and home management. These lessons served her throughout her life. She was known for her hospitality, care for others, and dedication to community service.
While Ed was serving in the Air Force, he and Vernelle lived in many places. The family moved from College Station to Wisconsin, then on to Oklahoma, Georgia (where Janice was born), Laredo, Georgia again, and then to Delaware. In 1955, Ed was sent to Korea, while Vernelle settled in Lamesa to await the birth of Hal. Soon after, the family of four was sent to live in Japan for two years.
After moving back to the states in 1958, the family settled in Fort Worth, Texas. When the kids were school aged, Vernelle became active in the PTA, served as a Camp Fire Girls leader, and taught Bible classes at Trail Lake Church of Christ. Before their next move, they welcomed their daughter, Linda.
In December 1965, Ed went to work at NASA, and the family moved to Friendswood, Texas. Ed and Vernelle moved into their house in Friendswood in August 1966, the same month that Van was born. Vernelle lived in this house for 60 years. Vernelle was active in the Friendswood Church of Christ, where she served as a first-grade bible classes for many years. She also served as a second-grade teacher’s aide in the Friendswood School District for ten years. She had a love for children. Vernelle was known for making costumes for her children and many others who performed in Friendswood High School musicals. In 1968, Ed and Vernelle increased their family by two, Robert and Mike made six. In 1974, John was born and this number changed one more time. This brought the number of kids in the household to seven, which Ed always said was the ‘perfect’ number.
Vernelle loved God, her family, and the Friendswood community. She was a loyal friend and had a deep love for ministering to others. Vernelle’s favorite book was Little Women and she loved the color green. Her favorite season was “when the sand was not blowing,” spoken like a girl from West Texas. Her favorite vacations were spent at Rocky Mountain National Park or “camping anywhere!” Vernelle believed in “Family and Church and Honesty”. She was full of knowledge and felt a strong calling to pass that knowledge on to others. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and cherished the time she spent with each of them.
Vernelle is survived by her children: Janice Tenbush; her daughter-in-law Carmen Foster and her husband J.R.; Robert Hoskins and his wife, Margaret; Mike Hoskins and his wife, Lisa; Linda Haddock and her husband, Mitchell; Van Hoskins and his wife, Sondra; and John Hoskins and his wife, Natalie. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren and her sister, Eleene Flenniken, and her brother, Charles Ball.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Edwin Wayne Hoskins; her brother, Eldon Keith Ball; her son, Hal Wayne Hoskins; and son-in-law, Ronald Paul Tenbush.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home in Friendswood.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Friendswood Church of Christ, 2051 West Parkwood Avenue, Friendswood, Texas 77546.
Condolences may be sent to the Hoskins family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home.
8 thoughts on “Claudia Vernelle Ball Hoskins”
Sending heartfelt sympathy to the family, with deep mourning over Aunt Vernelle’s passing. I’m proud and thankful she was one my aunts even if our paths rarely crossed, she conveyed pure dignity, a very steadying presence, family loyalty with the most amazing and efficient bulk food prep and sandwich making systems ever. Loss of another link to family history is so profound but the imprint of integrity and genuine spirit she carried on lives forever. Many prayers for the family’s comfort, knowing she’ll be so very missed.
Vernelle and Ed were wonderful examples of Christian love and family dynamics. We were with them at Church for over 20 years and learned much about life from them. We are saddend by her passing but loved them all as a great family. Blessings to all their family and friends. Barbara and Harry Kolkhorst
A good woman joined her husband in heaven this week. Mrs. Hoskins, you and Mr. Hoskins set the bar really high on how to be a family of love. Me and Roger have watched daily over the last month, car after car pull up to your house, loved ones at your side. 24 hrs around the clock. Not many folks get that beautiful display of love and attention in their senior years. But you did. RIP Mrs. Hoskins. I am sure the angels banana bread in heaven is even better than mine.
What a beautiful woman who has left a beautiful legacy. Praying you all feel the peace & comfort of our Lord during this difficult time.
Coming into the family by marrying your little brother, Charles, you made me feel very welcome from the start. I have always loved and admired the character of the godly woman you have been, so much like the character of your mother, Clara Belle. I see that same characteristic in your children. You have been very blessed in this life and we have been very blessed by by having you in each of our lives. Thank you for having been a beacon of light in this world. His hands, His feet and His heart. I write this like your reading this. You just very well may be!
As an adult looking back on all the ways Mrs. Hoskins and Mr. Hoskins and their family has been a blessing to me and the Mora family – especially Mom in these latter years – is overwhelming and nostalgic. Mrs. Hoskins taught me the books of the Bible in 1st grade. Hearing Hal’s wife (Miss Texas) blow the saxophone playing Amazing Grace on a Sunday night is something I’ll never forget. Nor will I forget catching Robert swinging his arms singing Tom Petty’s Breakdown loudly through the empty children’s area. Linda and I taught the preschoolers Sunday School and it was always great to cause Linda to chuckle then or during sleepovers. The Hoskins would host all the middle school kids on Sunday nights for Devotionals and Mrs. Hoskins was the queen of sloppy joes and a unique salad comprised of Doritos, ranch style beans, ground meat, lettuce, tomato and French Dressing – I’ve even made it for my husband. Being the youngest of my siblings I got to see Janice and Trina grow up and eventually regroup as members of the Westwood Church of Christ in Austin as adults raising their own families. Mike was also someone I watched grow up as well at various high school events. Regardless of our age we were all at the high school events – from musicals to football games. The best part though was the Hoskins loading up Linda, Van and John as well as other Friendswood Church of Christ teens – LeighAnn and Scott Bockhart, Carla Kovitz and myself – to travel to Estes Park. We would laugh hysterically as Mr. Hoskins would yell out Van’s name to help with this or that when setting up camp at a VoA along the way. Mom (Huberta) faithfully attended Mr. Hoskins Sunday School class and after Dad passed Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins always ensured Mom had a ride to church. This ultimately put me in a unique position to have midweek conversations with Mrs. Hoskins to discuss church activities and eventually Mr. Hoskins declining health. They both were a testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness! I’ll cherish Mrs. Hoskins for always having an accepting and welcoming attitude towards me. At times like these, I always remember us as a church singing Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with Glory and grace, I’m gonna see my Savior’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place. Love you Linda and Van! Prayers for all the family!
Eddie and I were welcomed to Friendswood Church of Christ by a group including Ed and Vernelle at K and Ester Speck’s home in 1988. We enjoyed their hospitality for years of Sunday evening care group Bible study. Vernelle had several pots of coffee going and Ed exclaimed “Come into this house!” They were beautiful Christian examples and mentors to both of us and we pray for the family’s comfort missing dear Vernelle.
Ms. Hoskins was a wonderful person, great neighbor and friend of the family. She was my Cub Scout den leader and always did a fine job handling us rowdy young boys. She will be missed. Prayers for the whole family.