Vera Mae (Montgomery) Jackson

Vera Mae (Montgomery) Jackson, daughter of the late Austin Montgomery Sr., and Mattie B. Montgomery was born on June 8, 1931, in Aliceville, Alabama. She was the oldest sibling and sister to Austin Montgomery Jr. and Mattie Beatrice Scott whom she loved.

Vera grew up in a loving Christian home and began her relationship with the Lord as a member of The Church of God in Christ, in Aliceville, Alabama. She attended Summerville High School where she was a star basketball player and graduated Valedictorian. Vera always wanted to study Nursing and was accepted at Tuskegee College. Due to the lack of money Vera changed her plans. Soon thereafter she headed for the “Windy City,” Chicago, Illinois. While there, she rekindled her relationship with her high school sweet heart, John Henry Lewis, who she later married. Out of their union came four children: Vickie Lynette, Marvin Kendell, Sherman Anthony, and Jacqueline Cerese.

In 1962, Vera moved to Bayshore, New York, where she met the love of her life, James Billings. Out of their union came four children LaTanya, Heide Denise, Jimmy Onassis and Ametti Ali.

After several short-term jobs, Vera obtained full-time employment on the Housekeeping staff at Southside hospital. She worked at Southside for 27 years before retiring. Several years prior to her retirement she met and married Jack Jackson.

During retirement Vera remained active, traveling with her husband, forming social clubs, and community organizations such as” Us Women” and The Brentwood Improvement Program. These groups assisted needy families in the community. Vera truly, had a servant's heart.

Vera also loved spending quality time with her grandchildren, whom she loved. She was happiest when they were all running around her house. They always kept a smile on her face.

Vera was a faithful member of The First Baptist Church of Brentwood where she served for over 40 years. She served as both President and Vice President of the Usher Board. She also used her gift of writing to write some of the church’s first plays. Everyone enjoyed her plays. Vera was also an exceptional cook. She used her cooking talent and sold dinners to support the church's fundraising efforts. Everyone loved her cooking, and this gave her great joy. She was especially known for her sweet potato pies. No one could make a sweet potato pie like Vera Mae! At one point, stores were interested in placing her pies in their store.

Vera lived a full life and music always played a big role. Her love for music came from her parents who sang in a “Glee Club.” Vera loved singing so much that she formed two singing groups: one group included her, and a few friends and the other was known as the “McNair Singers,” which included her two daughters LaTanya, and Heide, plus two of their friends.

She loved attending professional basketball games, gospel concerts, traveling, dancing, taking long walks with her husband, laughing, and having a good time. She really got a “kick: out of her children and their friends. There was always laughter in the home.

Vera was blessed with 90 long years, and she made the most of those years. She lived life fully. She was a woman full of grace, beauty, charity, faith, love, and strength.

She loved her children deeply and unconditionally. She would walk through fire for them. Vera taught her children many lessons, but the most important lesson was that they should “Always Keep God First,” she would write this in every birthday card. She also taught them her favorite quote by St. Jerome “Good, Better, Best; Never Let It Rest; Until the Good is Better and The Better is Best.”Always, teaching them to strive for the best.

She was a wonderful, Woman, Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, and Friend. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten always in our hearts. Her legacy of service to others will continue through her children and grandchildren.

On June 29, 2021, Vera peacefully transitioned surrounded by her two daughters, LaTanya and Heide.

Vera was predeceased by her late husband Jack Jackson, daughter: Jacqueline Cerese Lewis, brother: Austin Montgomery Jr., sister Mattie Beatrice Scott, and Grandson: Marlon Simes.

She leaves to cherish her memory: daughters; Vickie L. Simes, LaTanya McPherson, and Heide Billings; stepdaughter: Osea Walls, sons, Marvin Lewis, Sherman Lewis, Jimmy Billings and Ametti Billings; and sisters-in-law, Sarah Billups, and Ella Hudson.

Daughters-in-laws: Victoria Lewis and Vanessa Lewis, nieces: Michelle Scott, Angela Foster, Renata Montgomery, and Geraldine Taylor. nephew: Austin Montgomery III.

Grandchildren: Eddye Lewis, Makeba Lewis, Kwesi Lewis, Kareem Lewis, Mecca Lewis, Margie Lewis, Gia Lewis-Sullivan, Briana Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Amina Lewis, Tiffany Lewis, Darek Bartlett, Michael Thomas, Ayanna Billings, Stevenson Walls, Faith Walls, Timothy Walls, Alexander Walls, William McPherson, Shaniquka McPherson, Izayah Billings, Briyah Billings, Aliyah Billings, and Elijah Billings.

Great Grandchildren: Jahmez Lewis, Dante Lewis, Marquise Lewis, Autumn Lewis, Alaia Lewis, Kai Ahmir Sullivan, Kimani Zachai Lewis, and Sebastian Jared Joseph Lewis.

Goddaughter: Iman Jones.

Extended family members include: Philome Millien, Lilly Reese & Family McPherson Family, Shirley Barker, Marlene Thompson, Denise Price Jackson, Jessica Amaya, Destiny Alvarado and a host of relatives and friends.

A Gathering of Family & Friends will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021 from 11:00AM until the hour of service at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home - Fairview Chapel, 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia with A Worship Celebration of Life beginning at 12:00Noon.

Services will conclude in Bay Shore, New York on Friday, July 16, 2021.