Vera M. Willms

Vera Mae (Coleman) Willms died peacefully December 13, 2017 in Tulsa, OK. She was born to C.B. (Cortez Bery) and Ethel Ada (Oxford) Coleman on March 5, 1926 in Las Animas, CO and reared in Ness City, KS. Vera was baptized at Trinity Baptist Church in Ness City. She attended public schools in Ness City. During high school she learned to play the clarinet and was first chair in band. Vera attended two years at Oklahoma Baptist University. She then attended summer school at Ft. Hays Kansas State Teachers College, received a Kansas Emergency Teaching Certificate and subsequently taught elementary school at Geneseo, KS. Though she never intended to marry a farmer, she married Donald C. Willms on February 14, 1948. They moved to California shortly after the wedding where Don worked on a ranch and showed cattle. They returned to Kansas two years later to farm and rear livestock in Rice and Reno counties for over 30 years. Vera continued her education at McPherson College in 1957. She eventually completed business school at Adele Hale Business School in Hutchinson, KS and became an executive secretary for Steven's Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning in Hutchinson. They moved to Tulsa in 1981. In Tulsa she worked as an executive secretary at Buck Construction for over 25 years. Vera loved music. She was often asked to sing special music at church. Vera was an avid knitter and could be seen at her children's and grandchildren's events knitting. She made a point of knitting an afghan for each of her great grandchildren and personally delivering it to them-it was a good excuse to quickly get to hold the newborn! Vera will be remembered for her deep convictions and instilling a spiritual heritage to her family and children. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, parents C. B. and Ethel Coleman, and siblings Siddie M. Martin, James Coleman, William Coleman, and Guyman Coleman. Survivors include her four children and their spouses: Russell and Sherryl Willms of Hutchinson, KS; Pamela and Samuel Herr of Valley Center, KS; Clifton and Catharine Willms of Sioux Falls, SD; and Dianne and Mark Roberts of Tulsa, OK. She is also survived by a brother, Charles Coleman of Springfield, MO. Vera had 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Survivors include her four children and their spouses: Russell and Sherryl Willms of Hutchinson, KS; Pamela and Samuel Herr of Valley Center, KS; Clifton and Catharine Willms of Sioux Falls, SD; and Dianne and Mark Roberts of Tulsa, OK. She is also survived by a brother, Charles Coleman of Springfield, MO. Vera had 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Visitation is Tuesday, December 19, 6:00-8:00 PM at Moore Southlawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Community Baptist Church, Tulsa. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulsa. Moore Funeral Home - Southlawn Chapel (918) 663-2233

Vera M. Willms

March 5, 1926 - December 13, 2017