Vera as I reflect back on all our memories that we shared,I feel grateful to God for our friendship , and even though you now live in heaven,I know without a doubt that when I join you there that we will just continue our wonderful friendship……with no “good byes”.Can’t wait for that day.Love you girlfriend ! Gloria

Vera, you are gone but not forgotten.  I know you are in heaven enjoying perfect health with Jesus.  You were such a sweet,  elegant lady.  I was lucky to know you. 

Sweet Vera, gone but not forgotten.  We will meet again some day.

Life After Death
Vera is my whole life; that is how much I love her.  I look forward to being with her again soon, for we both are Christians and God’s Word has a special promise for us.  Vera made her decision early in life at the Akron Baptist Temple.  I made my decision at a Billy Graham Crusade in Orlando, Florida.  That night, Vera also came forward and re-dedicated her life to Christ.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Philippians 1:21
The Words of Billy Graham – America’s Preacher
I have asked a number of scientists questions concerning life after death, and most of them say, “We just don’t know.”  Science deals in formulas and test tubes.  But there is a spiritual world science knows nothing about.
Because many do not believe in life after death, their writings are filled with tragedy and pessimism.  The writings of William Faulkner, James Joyce and many others are filled with pessimism, darkness, and tragedy.  Sadly, the same was often true of their lives.
How different from Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26) Our hope of immortality is based on Christ alone-not on our desires, longings, arguments, or instincts of immortality. And because we know Christ is alive, we have hope-hope for the present and hope beyond the grave.


I first met Vera when she and Dave came to visit us in Washington DC.  They both knew my husband from many years ago, living and working overseas.  My husband (Bart) kept telling me how much I was going to love Dave and Vera and  he knew Vera and I were really going to hit it off, and we did!  Vera and I had an instant connection.  We shared the love of the same things, compared our lives being from the south and laughed hysterically at the smallest things!  It was as if we had been life long friends.  

My husband was right, I loved Vera from the moment I met her!  She was sweet, kind and she loved working with her “little old people” who were her extended family.  No doubt Vera is an angel in Heaven...she was already one here on earth.  Rest peacefully dear friend.  We are devastated that you are no longer here with us yet, we will rejoice one day when we meet again!  

Vera and I connected through the Life Group we were in at North River Church.  She always had a very warm and sincere manner about her, and I felt like I found a friend in her,  right from the beginning . I had the privilege of being able to spend quite a bit of time with her during her illness, allowing David to be able to run some errands and tend to things at home. During those hours that I spent with Vera, she became a real blessing in my life and an inspiration , as I witnessed how strong her faith was in the Lord.  Her relationship with God and trust in Him allowed her to cope and never give up hope .  She loved sharing so many stories about her family and friends.  We  truly shared the same passion of caregiving throughout our lives . It was a joy being able to spend time in the courtyard  at the rehab center with her , listening to music , enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and just chatting about so many things. Vera will always have a special place in my heart, because of those precious hours we spent together during the last months of her life, and I am grateful to have shared this friendship with her. May God's blessings be with David during these difficult months ahead. 

Dear Vera, We miss you so much! God choose to take you home to heal you and make heaven a sweeter place. You were a beautiful lady inside and out!
We were truly blessed to have you as a friend and cherish the wonderful memories of all the fun times we had through the years with you and David. 
There are so many things around us that will remind us of you, like seeing a beautiful hydrangea bush or tasting some yummy chocolate dessert.  When we are reminded of you we will smile and think of our beautiful and dear friend!
Much love and prayers to David, and the family!

My fondest memory is of a 35yrs plus friendship that has been a constant bond throughout all of the good times,and the times that weren’t so good,always encouraging each other in any situation of life,all the laughter and the tears,overlooking each other’s shortcomings,respecting each other always,theses  are the memories that I will hold in my heart.So to my dear friend I applaud you for a life well Lived.I Love you always.Gloria

I first met Vera when Dave and I were stationed in Germany around 1974.  We were all so young and silly.  However, Vera had this presence that none of us had.  She had that rare combination of being attractive in appearance but even more so, her inward beauty shone so bright along with her grand love of the Lord.  Dave and I were musicians (fellow guitar players) and so we also had that in common which cemented our friendship.  But Vera kept us all in line with her maturity and her wonderful sense of humor.  Later after Dave and I both got out of the Air Force, we both settled into civilian life and kept in touch.  Dave and Vera moved to Florida and I traveled working for the Air Force in a civilian capacity.  When I moved out to Las Vegas a few years later, I met the love of my life and later after she met Dave and Vera when I worked at the Pentagon in 1994, Teri and Vera hit it off like they were long lost sisters.  In 2005, we had the pleasure of working in the United Kingdom and Dave and Vera came to visit us.  We planned a wonderful trip to Ireland, the “Ring of Kerry” and hit every pub along the way.  Later, we traveled to Germany to see our old stomping ground and see the old sites.  Vera thoroughly enjoyed going to back to Waldorf where she and Dave lived when he was stationed at Rhein Main Air Base.  So many magnificent memories, we often think back to the time the four of us were together when Dave and Vera visited us those two weeks in the UK.
We miss Vera so much and yet we have to be strong for Dave.  They had such an amazing relationship, all those marvelous years.  It saddens me greatly that my friend will have to go on with life without Vera, the light of his life.  We will be there for him because he is such a great friend.  We ask the Lord to heal his broken heart and slowly allow him to lessen the pain of his profound loss.  I pray God blesses him and his family.  


I was blessed beyond measure to have Vera as a big sister.  As our mother left this earthly home for her heavenly home at an early age, Vera took the role of “big-sis” which later developed into a relationship that words are difficult to explain.  We were so dialed into one another, we could actually read each other. I could just look into those big blue eyes and know what she was thinking.  I so loved our Sunday’s, we had a standing date to call one another every Sunday and talk for hours. I so cherished those times that during the week I would tell myself “ just hold on you can talk to Sis on Sunday”.  Vera was the best mentor anyone could hope for. She gave me the advice always steeped in biblical truths. We always talked about what heaven must be like, she was passionate about knowing how wonderful it must be to go home and meet our Lord and Savior.  Our last conversation resulted in a loving disagreement, I was telling her she would never know how much I loved her, she looked up at me and said “ I love you more” to which I replied “no I love you more”. What a blessing to have had such a wonderful, beautiful, loving sister and friend. I will see her soon as life is but a vapor. 

I met Vera when I was just a young kid and I have always considered her to be an Aunt to me. Every time my sweet late wife and I would visit Florida, we always made sure to fit in a visit with Dave & Vera!

 We both admired her outgoing, fun loving spirit about her! Anyone who knew her could just see that the love of Christ was with her! 

The first time we visited Florida once our kids were finally old enough to make the trip, Vera was so sweet because it was her first time meeting them and she wanted them to feel special. She asked me a whole bunch of questions about what they liked so she could purchase the perfect toys for them. ...And of course with her tender heart and great shopping skills, she got them some gifts that they absolutely loved!

We were just there a couple years ago and they are now teenagers (my daughter going to college in a few weeks) and I am so glad she was able to have some time to come visit us at the condo we were staying at. We talked for quite a long time catching up.

 But my favorite memory was when I became a Christian and I was very excited to share that with Dave & Vera. That will always be what I remember the most about her, was her love for Christ and her natural gift to show love to everyone. 

I just know deep in my heart that the love of my life, Stacy, was one of many who is now with Jesus and was there to meet Vera as she arrived. 

A few years ago I invited Vera to go to a Christmas home tour with me because I knew she loved nice homes and beautiful things. I picked her up and we did the tour. She didn't want to stop at the kiosks  with things to sell and didn't want anything to eat or drink either. That was fine.  We had a nice time and I took her home. Later I found out she was feeling really sick but she never said anything to me about it because she didn't want to ruin the day. That was Vera. I also enjoyed talking with Dave and Vera after church. Sometimes about other possible places to move to since Parrish was getting so crowded.  I would  say ok, you guys check it out and let me know.  While Vera was sick she would work with the therapists every day without complaint (that was Vera).  She wanted so much to get better to visit her family  in Tennessee. Love you,  Vera

I met Vera when I was17, at my first job. She immediately became like a sister and very good friend. I admired her so much for being such a lady. We spent many days together shopping, lunching , going to the gym and having fun. She took me for my first hair permanent, attended my high school graduation , taught me some great fashion and makeup tips and later kept in touch with my parents after I had moved out of state. One time I stayed the night at Dave and Veras , while Dave was on an overnight shift. We baked cookies, watched movies and as Dave suspected, stayed up all night eating them!! What a wonderful example of a couple who loved each other through decades. Lots of travels over their lives. The pictures are ones we took while together in Bradenton and once on a trip to my new Pennsylvania home, saw them in South Carolina along the way . 
Even though we were such a distance apart, when we did talk, it lasted for hours ,I miss those days . Prayers to her entire family on their loss of such a beautiful, wonderful person . Love you Verak 
Patty 

We were given three marvelous months to continue in prayer for healing and discuss the future that was totally in God's hands.  In the end, Vera was talking more and more about wanting to see Jesus and thank him for the gift of salvation, for paying the penalty at the cross for our sin and sickness.  Think about it, no more sickness, no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain!!  Is this not a type of healing?  The bible says we as believers never die.  Sure the mortal body is no longer alive, but our soul (spirit) (our mind, will and emotion) is alive and well for to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord".
I was with Vera at the time of her last breath on this earth!  I thank God for that moment because I knew she was immediately escorted by angels into the presence of the Lord on July 12. 

I don't know how to live alone in this world without her; I have never lived alone in my life.  We were married at just 18 years of age.  I trust God will show me a way, for "He is always with us and never forsakes us" Amen


My most precious memory of Vera is spending a week with Her and Dave in Williamsburg, VA. We  spent a lot of time getting to know each other better and discovered we had a lot in common. Her sense of humor and uplifting personality made the time spent so special and fun. Will miss her so much, but know that she is in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I will keep Dave in my prayers and pray for God's comfort and love to be with him in all he does. 

We have very fond memories of the times we went to St. Armands on the circle every Christmas season.  We started out with a great dinner and laughs.  We then shopped the circle. We will miss your sweet face Vera. 

OBITUARY

Vera Kaye Griffith

June 14, 1953 – July 12, 2019

Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park

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