Vera Belle Warren

Funeral services will be held for Vera Belle Warren, 93, of Longview will be held on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 11:00 am at the First Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Schutz officiating, Rev. Rick Hume delivering the eulogy, and Dr. Wesley Welborn providing the graveside service. Arrangements are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Interment will follow at Rosewood Park. Vera Belle died peacefully on March 15, 2011at Buckner Westminster Place, where she was a resident for the past 12 years. She was born in Hutchins, Texas on June 12, 1917. She graduated from SMU with a bachelor's degree in speech and theatre and received a master's in library science from the University of Denver. Vera Belle served as a teacher and head librarian at Longview High, starting full-time in 1961, retiring in 1983. She was married to Ollie W. Warren for 53 years, before he passed away in 1996. During WWII, Vera Belle worked at the Harmon Army Hospital in Longview, while awaiting her husband's return from being a prisoner of war. Vera Belle was active member of the First Methodist, where she organized the church's library and was involved in charitable works sponsored by the church. She and Ollie were founding members of the Clyde Hall Sunday School Class, which was started for young couples right after the war. Vera Belle was an avid bridge player and a member of a couple's bridge club that lasted more than 40 years. Memorials may be sent in Vera Belle's honor to Life Care Hospice of Longview, the First Methodist Church Library Fund, or the Resurrection United Methodist Church Community Garden in San Antonio, TX. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Frank Richardson, and mother, Vera Fulton Richardson; her sister Mary Margaret Storms. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Drs. Jane and David Hager of Norfolk, VA; the Rev. Randall and Mrs. Diane Warren of San Antonio, TX; four grandchildren, Michael Warren Meeks of Norfolk, VA, Mark Warren of Austin, TX, and Laura LeMair of Clute, TX; three great grandchildren, Ethan, Madison, and Lucy; a brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Frank and Mrs. Fran Richardson, Jr. of Longview, TX; a sister, Mrs. Eloise Franklin of Brownfield, TX; a brother-in-law, Grady Warren of Lubbock, TX; a sister-in-law, Jerry Warren in Plains, TX; a sister-in-law Ruth Thurmond of Ft. Worth, TX; and step-grandchildren Nick and Christina Verziyl of San Antonio, TX, David and Michele Hager, Jr. of Broomfield, CO; and Michele and Jae Clark of Virginia Beach, VA; step-great grandchildren Tyler and Ryan Hager and Aiden and Ean Clark; and a lifelong friend, Mrs. Tommie Reed. Mrs. Warren is also survived by more than 25 nieces and nephews; and countless friends in Longview at the First Methodist Church of Longview, and Buckner Westminster Place. The family would especially thank the staff of Buckner, Joyce Bishop, and Aleshia Fatherree of Life Care Hospice of Longview for the loving care they provided their mother. A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Vera Belle Warren

June 12, 1917 - March 15, 2011