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VERA FARRIS Obituary
FARRIS, DR. VERA KING 71 - of Galloway, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday November 28, 2009 at the Atlanticare Regional Medical Center. She was the longest-serving president of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Vera led the college for 20 years, from 1983 to 2003. Stockton was just ten years old when she took over. Under her leadership, the school went from being a tiny state college to a public institution with a stellar reputation. She was responsible for the founding of the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at the college and established the Ida E. King chair in Holocaust studies in memory of her mother. Vera's personal history and her personal style were always intertwined with her professional career. She became a college president, but she grew up poor in Atlantic City and never stopped being a role model for other disadvantaged youths. Vera was a scientist with advanced degrees in zoology and parasitology from the Tuskegee Institute and the University of Massachusetts. Stockton didn't just grow under her leadership - it thrived. And her smile, her warmth and her powerful personality had a lot to do with that. She is survived by her son, King Farris, his wife, Mary Jo and their three daughters, Hannah, Rachel, and Sarah all of Mississippi; two sisters, Norma Briscoe and Thelma Dickson of Atlantic City; three nieces, Stephanie Roberts of New Jersey, Rhonda Briscoe of Georgia, and Karin McFarland of Texas; a grandniece, Heather Roberts-Williams and her husband, Michelangelo Williams of New Jersey; six grand nephews, Isaac Roberts and Sean Roberts of New Jersey, Marq and Chad Faulkner of Georgia, and Derek and Brett McFarland of Texas. She also had one great-grand niece, Layla Williams and Great-grand nephew, Myles Williams, which she regarded as her grandchildren. The Viewing will be held on Friday December 4, 2009 at Wimberg Funeral Home 211 E. Great Creek Road, Galloway, NJ between 9:00 and 11:00am. The service will follow at 11:00am. Interment will immediately follow at Germania Cemetery Moss Mill Road and Vienna Avenue, Galloway. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wimberg Funeral Home 211 E. Great Creek Road, Galloway, NJ 609-641-0001. For condolences or directions, please visit wimbergfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Vera King Farris scholarship fund at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. A Memorial Celebration will be held at the Richard Stockton College in the beginning of the new year a date and time to be announced.
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Memories and Condolences
for VERA FARRIS
AIMEE COMFORT
October 7, 2011
TO AUNT VERA I MISS YOU SO MUCH THAT I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH AND EVERDAY AND I NO THAT YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN ON ME TALKING TO ME IN SPIRIT....LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO MUCH AUNT VERA.... LOVE AIMEE..
Susan Weiss
January 19, 2011
I wasn't sure if I shared this in the past, but when I was a student at SSC, and went to visit her in her office, she noticed that I was favoring my back as I had a back injury. She actually showed me a back exercise by getting down on the floor. That one exercise has saved me from being bedridden many times.
Charles Clevenger
January 18, 2011
Vera and I were colleagues at SUNY Brockport. I remember her well and fondly.
January 13, 2011
Dr. Farris helped my stressed out mother personally fill out my financial aid papers while I was away in the Military. I was the first one in my family to graduate High School. Thanks to her I graduated Stockton in 1989. I also graduated from Wilmington college earning my Master of Science in Organizational Leadership in 2007. My family and I will never forget Dr. Farris for being our Guardian Angel. She made such a great positive difference in my entire family. I am her Starfish! (Ada Velez-Boardley, Vineland, NJ)
Connie Walker
January 1, 2011
I met Dr. Farris at SUNY Brockport in upstate New York. She loved growing orchids, sincere intelligence, stimulating conversation and laughter. Most of all, she treasured her son, King, the proverbial light of her life. I will miss her spirit, inherent fire and kind heart. I will never forget her smile lighting up every room, no matter the inhabitants. My condolences are late because, I just found out about her passing.
Robert Carrelli
December 16, 2009
I met Dr. Vera King Farris five years ago at the restaurant I work at. What an amazing person. She was always in a pleasant mood. We would talk about the latest movie she had just seen or about a Tyler Perry play-movie. She will trully be missed. Love You Vera! My sincere condolences to the family.
Sylvia Montague
December 11, 2009
You have my deepest sympathy.
May God continue to comfort and strengthen the family.
Janet Tighe
December 10, 2009
He Only Takes The Best...
God saw they were their happiest and
someone would not let that be.
So He put his arms around them and whispered "Come with Me".
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands put to rest.
God broke the family hearts to prove to them,
He only takes the best.
In Memory of a great community leader.
Susan Weiss
December 9, 2009
Dr. Farris was a very gracious person to me at Stockton State College. Funny enough one memory I have was going into her office as a student. A student with a very bad back. She actually got on the floor and shared with me an exercise she used for back. It has helped me when my back goes out for many years. My condolences to her family.
December 7, 2009
Thank You!!!
edward carty
December 7, 2009
To My Dear Family - If you looked up the meaning of Friend,it would say(Vera Farris)a part of me is gone today,but not forever! someday we will meet again! the most important thing she always wanted me to know! was to believe in Jesus Christ!I have lost a dear friend,but I will now have all the memories.And at this time my prayers and thoughts go out to all of Vera's family,and thank you for making me your family,I love you all! Ed Carty & Nancy
CARLA BRIGGS
December 4, 2009
VERA CAME INTO MY LIFE AT CHURCH AND SHE WAS A LGHT THAT SHINED AT THE END OF MY TUNNEL.SHE ALWAYS GAVE YOU HER WARM SMILE AND ENCOURAGEMENT I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT, WHEN I CAME TO CHURCH ALONE SHE ALWAY TOLD ME TO SIT WITH HER AND HELD MY HAND DURING SERVICE THAT I NEEDED MORE THAN SHE KNEW. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER FOR THE SILENT LOVE SHE GAVE TO ALL AND THE GRACE SHE BESTOWED ON ME, AND ALL AROUND HER. YOU AWALYS WILL BE WITH ME IN MY HEART.
Chuck Chiarello
December 4, 2009
What an outstanding leader our community has lost. Dr. Farris will be remembered by generations from Stockton for the growth and exellence she provided.
Mayor Chuck Chiarello
Buena Vista Township
and Stockton Graduate
ADOLPHE & BONNIE PARKER
December 3, 2009
Norma & Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We were saddened to learn of Vera's passing. We will never forget her brillance, friendliness and compassion. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by many. Think of all the good times you shared. She wilL always in your heart. God Bless You.
Bettie Alexander
December 3, 2009
To Stephanie,Heather, and Family
May God bless you during this difficult time. We offer our sincere condolences to your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bettie Alexander and family
Ahmed Khan
December 3, 2009
To King, his wife, and children,
Rest assured that your mother loved you very much. There wasn't a time that I bumped into Dr. Farris (I was always reluctant to call her Vera) that she wasn't giving me an update about you and your life in Mississippi.
Dr. Farris and my mother were two of the biggest female influences in my life. I will miss them very much. I'm reminded of the old sports adage, "A good player plays good. A great player makes everyone around them play good." Dr. Farris was a great player!
Dr. Farris operated on an executive level that most CEO's can only aspire to get to. Whether it was the student-faculty dinner, a presentation the the Student Senate, or just hanging out at a basketball game, the interaction with Dr. Farris was always a positive learning experience. I'm the better for having had her in my life.
Love always,
Ahmed Khan
SSC Class of 1989 (BS)
RSC Class of 2000 (MAIT)
AIMEE COMFORT
December 2, 2009
TO THE FARRIS FAMILY.I WILL MISS AUNT VERA VERY MUCH.AND I WILL ALWAYS KEEP HER IN MY HEART AND SOUL.
Madeline Jones-Jenkins
December 2, 2009
To The Farris Family,
I grew up with the King family. Lived next door to Vera and her mom. She was a very special person, a delight to have known her. She had a beauty inside that only God gives to every million person, Vera was one of those he touched. She will be truly missed by all. God was lonely and called her home.
Madeline Jones-Jenkins
Jose Santana
December 2, 2009
To the King Farris our love and blessing will always be with.
Love Local 195 Officers and members of Stockton College
Dr Stanley Molock
December 2, 2009
You have our deepest sympathy
DR.and Mrs. S Molock
December 2, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers go to King and family at the loss of mother who was such a wonderful lady. We recall the days when the boys attended Linwood Schools. Vera will be remembered as an outstanding community member.
Kevin T. Brooks
December 2, 2009
To King and Family, May God bless you as you go through this difficult time. I remember Vera (aunt Vera)as a young child taking soup and eggs to Miss Ida's house for my grandomther and mother and then as a student at Stockton. In 1995 Vera gave me the opportunity of a liftime to be an assistant basketball coach At The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. I'm still coaching thanks to Vera and the late G.Larry James. Each game we played we made sure to see each other and say hello. She and my mother were close friends and school mates and now they are together. Again may God Bless you and your family and THANK YOU AUNT VERA FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR ME.
Sorrowfully submitted,
Coach Kevin T. Brooks
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Sharon Davis
December 2, 2009
To the King/Farris Family. We are very sorry for your loss. Vera was a role model to many people, young and old. Our family sends you prayers and encouragement. Sincerely, Sharon Davis and the Family of Janice G. Dennis
The Dabney Family
December 2, 2009
May God continue to comfort and strengthen the Farris Family. We offer our condolences to your family. Ms. Vera will be missed, such a
remarkable woman. May God Bless and hold you near.
Lee Perren
December 2, 2009
Rest in Peace Dr. Farris. May your family take comfort in the knowledge that you influenced and changed the lives of so many people. God Bless You!
Lee Perren
Stockton Class of '94
December 2, 2009
Vera was an inspiration to so many people and will be long remembered for her many kind acts. Dr. Joy K. Moll
Karin (Briscoe), Bernard, Derek & Brett McFarland
December 2, 2009
Aunt Vera's light shone brightly while she was here...Perhaps they are not the stars, but openings to heaven where the light of our loved ones may shine down upon us to let us know that they are alright. (Eskimo saying)
December 2, 2009
To the King @Farris family,my sincere condolences to you,Vera was a special person that always made you feel special.I am glad to have known her.Sincerely Laura Williams and family.
December 2, 2009
We are thinking of you in this time of sorrow.
We knew Vera as a neighbor that cared about her family and friends.
Steve, Kandy, and Rob Ottenberg
Linwood and Rotonda Florida
Claretha Brooks
December 2, 2009
May God Bless the Farris Family. I will always remember her as when I attended my sons basketball games. No matter how crowded that gym was she always saved a seat for me right next to her because my son Carl "Zez" Cochran, was going for a school record and when he broke the record she took me out on the floor with her when they presented him with the ball. That memory about her will always remain in my heart. She was a very graceful woman and she will most definately be MISSED!! Snookie
Andy Schaeffer
December 2, 2009
What a strong servant of God Vera was to the body of believers at Seaview Baptist Church in Linwood. You can start with her spiritual leadership and example in the church, but there really is no end to the life she brought to the church.
We will miss you greatly but rejoice in your new life in a new body in the presence of God.
The "GABRIEL" family
December 2, 2009
To the Family of "Dr. Farris ",
Much love and sympathy in your time of loss. May "GOD" bless you and keep you Strong.
Lela Albert
December 2, 2009
May God's love comfort Vera's family at this time sorrow.
EVELINA SPELL
December 2, 2009
RIP MY SISTER YOU WILL BE SADLY MISS BY ME AND OTHERS YOU TOUCH MY HEART WITH LOVE AND LAUGHTER GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF SORROW.
December 2, 2009
"They're only truly great, who are truly good" RIP Dr. V.K. Farris
Robert Daub
December 2, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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