Vera Smith Hillis

Vera Smith Hillis, 87, passed away peacefully on January 6th, 2018 in Humble TX, following a brief illness. Vera was born on July 24, 1930 in Lyerly GA. She graduated from McKenzie Business College in Chattanooga TN and worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority for seven years before relocating to East Point GA, where she enjoyed a 28-year career with Bayer Chemicals. After her retirement, she moved to the Humble area to be closer to her two daughters and their families. While she resided happily in Texas for the past 20 years, friends and family in Georgia always remained an important part of her life. In Texas, Vera enjoyed her home and garden, volunteering at the local school, and sewing, knitting and socializing with friends at the Humble Senior Activity Center. Vera was sweet, smart, funny, strong and independent, and was well loved by her family and friends. Vera was preceded in death by her son Jeffrey Hillis, and by her parents, Elizabeth Maxwell Smith and W.H. Smith, Sr. of Lyerly GA, and her four siblings, Lewis Smith, Bess Fletcher, W.H. Smith, Jr. and Margaret Webb. She is survived by daughters Amy Raihill and Jennifer Verkamp and son-in-law Ed Verkamp, all of Humble TX. She is also survived by one grandson, Kenneth Hillis of Lovejoy GA, and by one granddaughter, Erin Cavarretta, and her husband Chris Cavarretta of Conroe TX, and by several nieces and nephews in Georgia, all of whom she dearly loved. She was blessed to live in the home she loved all the days of her life. We will always treasure the memories created with her. Although we will miss her always, we take comfort in the knowledge that she joins her family in a better place. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes support to Vera's lifelong church home, the Lyerly Baptist Church. Memorial contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 135, Lyerly GA 30730.