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Vera Houston Beaty passed away in her sleep at her Ponca City home Friday, December 28, 2007, four days after celebrating her 97th birthday.
A funeral service celebrating Vera's life will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2008, in the chapel of First Baptist Church, with Dr. Michael Seabaugh, officiating. A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Snell Cemetery in Emmet, Arkansas. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.
Vera was born December 24, 1910, in Hope, Arkansas; she was the first of four children born to Claud and Nellie Houston of DeAnn, Arkansas. She attended school in DeAnn, and completed her education at boarding school in Magnolia, Arkansas.
She was a maid in the 1926 Watermelon Festival in Hope. In 1930, she married William Ralph Beaty and they began married life in Emmett, Arkansas, where he was appointed Postmaster. During their years in Emmett, their two children, Ralph, Jr. and Rita were born. Later, the family moved briefly to Little Rock and then to Siloam Springs, Arkansas where her children went to school. In Siloam Springs, Vera led her daughter's Girl Scout troop, and was involved in the Nesika Arts Club.
She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing clothes for her family as well as bridal gowns. Most importantly, she dedicated herself to lovingly raising her children and ensuring their intellectual and spiritual development. Vera moved to Ponca City in 1970 where she began a career as a bookkeeper for Fowler Vending Corporation until retiring in 1993. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ponca City, and was active in the Dorcas Sunday School Class.
Vera was a gracious hostess, an avid duplicate bridge player, and a skilled gardener. She was known for her beautiful irises, jonquils, and lilies, but she also always grew a full vegetable garden until the last few years. Indoors, she cared for many beautiful African violet plants through the years.
Vera's experience as a young homemaker during the depression shaped her character for the rest of her life. She never let go to waste anything that might have another use later. Vera also was self-reliant—she eagerly climbed onto the roof or crawled under her house if that's what a task required. In her late 80s she was happy to receive a chainsaw she used to shape up her trees.
When her grandchildren were young, she made sure they had fun learning to fish. Vera set a lifelong example of kindness, giving to others, and happily working wherever and however necessary. Her grandchildren will always remember her colorful stories and humorous exclamations. Vera was independent and industrious, but she also loved to sit and visit and reminisce. Vera was curious about the world and she loved to travel. She and her husband traveled to Mexico, and as a widow Vera enjoyed trips to Europe and Canada.
She is survived by her son, William Ralph Beaty, Jr., and wife Pauletta, of Ponca City, her daughter Rita Beaty Goolsby, and husband O.K., of Richland, Washington; five grandchildren: Brad Beaty, and wife Tina, of Ponca City, Grant Goolsby, of Richland, Washington, Jana Beaty Bright, and husband Chris, of New Canaan, Connecticut, GayLynn Goolsby Clyde, and husband Ken, of Moscow, Idaho, and Susan Beaty, of Oklahoma City; eight great-grandchildren: Kaity and Braden Beaty, Rachel and Dylan Goolsby, Sophie and Sam Bright, and Kolby and Kacie Clyde; her sister Lillian Cargile, sister-in-law Margaret Houston, both of Little Rock, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.
Vera was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ralph, in 1965, her parents, and her brother Cecil Houston and his wife Frances, her brother Delton Houston, and her brother-in-law Ed Cargile. Memorial gifts may be made to Ponca City Meals on Wheels or to the First Baptist Church, 218 S. 6th St., Ponca City, OK 74610.
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