Vera Marie Holliday

Vera Marie (Courtney) Holliday, born February 13, 1939, in Gary, began her remarkable journey as the treasured only girl among six brothers — three older and three younger — to the late Mr. Opal O. and Shellie D. (Ward) Courtney. Being the lone sister in a lively household of boys prepared her early for leadership, resilience, and the art of holding her own.

A proud graduate and 1957 Salutatorian of Roosevelt High School, Vera’s brilliance in mathematics was evident from the start. She initially pursued a math major with a physics minor at Purdue University, determined to enter a business field centered on statistical math. Life, however, recalculated her path. After entering the workforce, she continued her studies at Indiana University Northwest, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, followed by a master’s degree in elementary education with a junior high endorsement in math. Never one to stop growing, she later earned a master’s degree in leadership from Butler University.

Vera dedicated 10 years to the Gary Community School Corporation before relocating to Indianapolis, where she faithfully served an additional 25 years with the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township. Over her 35-year career, she taught grades four through nine, served as math department chairwoman, worked as an assistant principal, sponsored seventh and eighth grade cheerleading, and coached both softball and basketball. Though she once believed teaching was not in her plans, she later reflected that the profession allowed her love for math and leadership to merge beautifully.

Mrs. Holliday especially enjoyed working with middle school students, often saying that “at that age teachers can still influence and help them mold” and that “it’s interesting watching them grow and mature and set up in their mind what is and isn’t important.” She was a strong believer that education extended far beyond pencil-and-paper tasks. Vera understood that true learning required creativity, exploration, and engagement, and she provided a wide variety of hands-on and interactive activities to ensure her students experienced more than worksheets.

Her curiosity and love of learning stretched well beyond the classroom. Vera enjoyed bowling, dabbling in model crafts and crochet, bicycling, reading, and — much to the amazement of those around her — playing on her computer until 2:00 AM many nights. Her fascination with technology naturally made its way into her teaching. One evening each week, she worked with a group of boys learning assembly language programming, encouraging them to explore the growing world of computers long before it became commonplace in classrooms.

Vera’s professional and civic memberships reflected her commitment to excellence and lifelong learning. She was a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pi Delta Kappa, and the Apple Picker Computer Club.

Vera was married to the late Stanley E. Holliday, and together they raised one daughter, Shellie Denise.

Vera was preceded in death by her beloved brothers: Alcee, Opal L., Cornelius, Lester, and John; her nephew Tony “TC”; and her niece Donna.

She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Shellie (Kevin) Edwards; her grandchildren, Lauren Holliday, Kevin Edwards II, Kellie Edwards, and Lyndsey (Landon) Wright; her treasured great-grandchildren, Malakai Burton and Moriah Wright; her loving brother, Stancil Courtney; her dear sisters-in-law, Darien, Wilma, and Annie; and a host of cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues whose lives were brightened by her wisdom, humor, and unwavering encouragement.

Vera lived a life defined by intellect, adaptability, leadership, and heart. She proved that when life adjusts your carefully made plans, it often leads to a greater purpose. Her legacy lives on in the countless students she inspired, the colleagues she mentored, and the family and friends she loved deeply. In the grand equation of life, Vera balanced it beautifully.

Visitation will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, US, on March 8, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, US, on March 8, 2026, at 3:00 pm.