Vera Dean Pease

Vera Dean (Bowers) Pease was born at home in Iron, Illinois on October 11, 1935. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at SSM Health, St.Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. She was the third of five children born to Zella Irene (Smith) Bowers and John Franklin Bowers. After her mother’s death during childbirth her father remarried and there were four more children by this marriage. She learned to sew at a very young age out of necessity to make her clothing and clothing for her siblings. She married Robert Virgil Pease on February 1, 1952 at the tender age of 16. She became a mother to Gloria Elizabeth on September 29, 1953 and again to James Robert (Bob) on March 31, 1956. Over the years she turned the skill of sewing into a very good business that helped support her family. She loved crafting, painting, and sewing, especially her love for quilting. She enjoyed all kinds of outdoor activities including gardening. She loved cook, and baker for her family and friends. She loved camping and dearly treasured the time that was spent on Kentucky Lake with her family and friends. She enjoyed dancing and going out for nice meals. She loved to play the slot machines on occasion, with her friend Jackie. Her greatest love was spending time with her family and friends. Vera Dean was a loving wife and mother. She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She was always for the underdog, mostly because of her childhood years of growing up poor. She was known for her tough love and she would render her opinion even when you didn’t ask for it. Vera is survived by her son, Bob and wife Brenda of Centralia, IL; a daughter, Gloria Christenbury and husband Don of Goodrich, Texas; seven grandchildren: Bobby Pease and wife Sara, Brent Pease and Reanna Putnam, Matt Shaw and wife Cindy, Vikki Hopper, Kathi Haller and husband Kris, John Laza and wife Kayen, and Geneva Creacy and husband Jason; fourteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her two sisters: Susie Forbes and Edie Dial and husband Gary all of St. Elmo, IL, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob of 50 years, four sisters: Mavis Duckworth, Alice Woolard, Jeanie Murdoch Langham, Debbie Bowers, and two brothers: John Bowers and Jim Bowers, also her longtime friend, Jackie Wakefield. Per her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded, and a private family graveside service will be held at a later date at the Union Ridge Cemetery in Herald, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Rock Church of Centralia and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Pease Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.

Vera Dean Pease

October 11, 1935 - April 28, 2020