Elvera "Vera" Sipes' Obituary
Elvera Margaret Greener was born on October 10, 1928 in Westphalia Texas. She was the second child of Henry and Ethel Greener. She completed her earthly journey on Sunday evening February 19, 2017 after a long period of declining health. Vera, as she preferred to be called, was a very sweet natured person who was loved by all who knew her. She was a gentle person who quietly followed all the rules and treated everyone with respect. Her faith in God was strong and guided her throughout her life. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church since she moved to Longview as a young wife and mother in 1950. Over the years she served the church in a number of ways including serving on the pastoral council, helping with religious education classes for the children, and later with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Anna Callahan, for more than 50 years and served in many capacities.
She loved her family and was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Over the years she attended many sporting events, concerts, and recitals in which they participated. Her own hobbies included sewing and needlework, especially cross stitching. She also enjoyed painting and her home was decorated with a number of her artistic creations.
She worked in the insurance business for most of her career and was employed by Dickinson & Harrison Insurance (D & H Insurance Group) for more than 30 years. She was also active for many years in the Insurance Women of Gregg County, which later evolved into the East Texas Insurance Association.
Vera was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Charles Greener, and her sister Agnes Henning. She is survived by her children; Margaret Quinn and husband Neil of Longview, Ron Sipes and wife Kathy of Fort Worth, Debbie Conner of Longview, and Teresa Hurley and husband Bill of Austin; her brother, Bernard Greener and wife Pearlie of Sealy; brother-in-law Cecil Henning and wife Evelyn of Temple; grandchildren Jake Conner and wife Ashley of Hawkins, Sam Sipes and wife Deepa of Caracus Venezuela, Monica Hurley of Nashville TN, Dennis Quinn and wife Lindsay of Arlington, Martha Hurley of Austin, Kevin Quinn and wife Melody of Fort Worth, and Dan Sipes of Dallas; great-grandchildren Boston Conner and Ainsley Conner of Hawkins and Phoenix Quinn and Rebekah Quinn of Arlington; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home in Longview beginning at 6 pm on Wednesday, February 22, followed by recitation of the Rosary at 7:30. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Longview. Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Church, St. Mary's Catholic School, or Longview Catholic School Endowment Fund.
The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living for their loving care and the staff of Texas Home Health Hospice for their care during her final months.
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