Mrs. Vera Bae (Clem) Turner

Vera Bae (Clem) Turner was born in Dallas, Texas on September 27, 1923 and passed away in Dallas on June 3, 2018. She is preceded in death by her parents William Henry Clem and Pearl Elizabeth (Ross) and her sisters (Virgie, Mozelle, and Verna) and brothers (Earl and Lloyd). Her husband, David Allen Turner, Jr., and their son, David Allen Turner III, also precede her. Survivors are sons Jon (Berta) and Tommy (Denise), daughter-in-law Beverly Turner (widow of David III), grandchildren (Jon Turner, Jr.; Allyson Wilkerson; Ashley Turner), and great grandchildren (Grace and Melody Wilkerson; Maxwell and Juliette Turner).

Visitation at Laurel Land Funeral Home Dallas: Monday June 11th from 6-8pm

Funeral at Laurel Land Funeral Home Dallas: Tuesday June 12th at 12 noon with reception following

Biography - Remembering the Life of Vera Bae Turner

Vera lived most of her life in Oak Cliff in Dallas. She attended Dallas schools and was a graduate of Sunset High School. Vera and her twin sister (Verna) were the babies of a family of 6 children. Verna and Vera were very close all of their lives. Verna passed away in April 2017 and Vera missed her terribly. During her childhood, both of her parents worked hard to make a living for them. Times were tough during the Great Depression. She was raised in a strong Christian home and was a long time member of Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Oak Cliff and, later in life, the Windsor Park Baptist Church in DeSoto. She met her husband, David Allen Turner, Jr., at Beverly Hills. They married December 24, 1941 when she was 18 years old and David was 19. David joined the Army Air Force in 1944 and their first son (David III) was born January 21, 1944. Vera and David III lived with Vera’s parents while David Jr. was training at various military bases. She and David III eventually moved to Yuma, AZ and later to Bakersfield, CA. to be with David Jr., who was training as a navigator/bombardier when WW II ended.

After the war, the family moved back to the Dallas area and eventually purchased their first home in Grand Prairie, where they lived from 1946- 1955. The family expanded with the arrival of Jon (November 8, 1946) and Tommy (December 1, 1948). David was a builder and Vera was a devoted mother and housewife. She was diligent in taking her sons to church at Beverly Hills where eventually all 3 of them accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and were baptized there. Vera was a faithful member of Beverly Hills and taught girls’ Sunday School and David served as a Deacon and in various leadership positions and taught men’s Sunday School.

In 1955, David and Vera moved to their long term home which David built. The home was located in the Kiestwood addition of Oak Cliff. She was very active as a devoted mother and housewife. Vera and her Clem family kept in close contact. Family gatherings with the Clem family were memorable as there were 6 families with 15 children. There was a lot of love and togetherness. The whole Clem family and spouses and all the children made fun trips to Cloudcroft, NM at Uncle Ashby and Aunt Mozelle’s lodge in the mountains.

Vera always loved gardening and flowers and was a long time member of the Twin Woods Garden Club in Oak Cliff where she made several long term friendships. As her sons grew up, Vera had to deal with adversities including David III and Jon serving their country at the same time in combat areas during the Vietnam War. They both returned home safe and sound. In 1969, Vera was diagnosed with breast cancer and survived the surgery and treatment. Much later in life she was diagnosed with leukemia (CLL) but never had to be treated. David III contracted CLL as well and passed away in November 2009 from complications of the disease. Jon (CLL) and Tommy (prostate) are cancer survivors. Her husband, David, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1988 and passed away on April 30, 1993. Vera was David’s caregiver during this time and did her best to comfort and support him. She will be buried next to David at Laurel Land. In 2001, Vera sold the old homestead at the corner of Kiest and Franklin in Oak Cliff and moved to Richardson to be closer to her sons and their families. The old homestead had many memories for the family (birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, grandchildren, etc.).

After moving to Richardson, Vera’s health began to deteriorate gradually and eventually needed in-home assistance provided by Paul (now deceased) and Mary, two wonderful people who God sent Vera’s way. In 2014, Vera relocated to an assisted living center (Atria Richardson). During her time there her health continued to decline and in October 2017 she moved to a group home (Rebecca’s Homes) in North Dallas. She survived many back surgeries and other ailments despite the odds. But the Lord wanted her, and He took her to glory early Sunday morning on June 3. She was the last surviving member of her Clem family and now joins all of them as well as her husband and son in Heaven. What a party she is having with them now! The family is grateful for the various caregivers and health professionals who were part of Vera’s later years including Paul and Mary, the Atria Richardson staff, and Elizabeth, Mary, and Becky at Rebecca’s Homes. Also, thanks go to hospice care provided by Total Hospice & Palliative Care.

Vera loved the Lord and accepted Christ as her Savior as a teenager. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. She gave of herself to others and was a compassionate person. We will all miss her but know she is where she wanted to be- in a home the Lord has prepared for her.

If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations in Vera’s honor may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the American Cancer Society.