Vera Lee Wardlow

RICHMOND, Ind. – Vera Lee Wardlow, age 96, of Richmond, Indiana, went to meet her Lord and loved ones on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at home.
She was born February 5, 1929, in New Castle, Indiana, to Edgar William and Etta Todd Turpin. A 1947 graduate of New Castle High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society and was also a graduate of Indiana Business College in Muncie, Indiana.
Vera was a legal secretary in New Castle for four and a half years, three years in Norfolk, Virginia, and one year in Chicago, Illinois, followed with two years as secretary at World Bestos in New Castle. She retired in 1995 after sixteen years as library manager in the Science Library, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana.
She and her husband served as foster parents, caring for twenty-nine infants over the years.
Vera joined First Church of the Nazarene, New Castle, Indiana, in 1945 and is currently a member of Richmond Southview Church of the Nazarene since 1959. She was very active in church activities, serving as Sunday School teacher for fifty-five years, former missionary president, church steward, and church board secretary for many years. Vera thrived at Sanders Glen in Westfield, Indiana for the last ten years of her life and made many friends there.
Survivors include one son, John Michael (Lori) Wardlow, daughter, Jenise Sue (Bruce) Sowers, daughter-in-law, Kathy Wardlow, former daughter-in-law, Susan Wardlow, five grandchildren, Bradley Sowers, Erika Sowers, Sean Wardlow, Sawyer Wardlow, and Claire Wardlow; two step-grandchildren, Andrew Watkins and Zach Watkins; cousins; nieces; nephews; and blessed with many special friends, including Carolyn Smith and Ruby Wilson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Macy Wardlow, who died in 1989; a son, Steven R. Wardlow, who died in 2004; two infant brothers and two infant sisters; two precious sisters, Ruby Hall in 1981, and Mary McWhorter in 2007; and two dear friends, Ron Smith and Avery Wilson.
Visitation for Vera Lee Wardlow will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Richmond Southview Church of the Nazarene, 2061 S J Street, Richmond, IN 47374.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.