Vera Mae Basford, 85, of Two Egg, Florida, passed away peacefully at her residence surrounded by her family on October 29, 2023.
Vera was born on June 5, 1938, to Alfred and Katie Mae Hart. She graduated from Greenwood High School in 1956. Following high school, she married the love of her life, Arthur Lee Basford. She and Arthur built a beautiful life with their family that was filled with love, laughter and many great adventures. They were dedicated followers of Jesus Christ, and faithfully served at their home church, Lovedale Baptist, for many years. As long as she was physically able, Vera enjoyed attending Sunday school and church services, serving as church treasurer, working in the nursery, assisting with summer vacation Bible school, and preparing delicious foods for church fellowships.
In her early years, she was employed as a census worker, and later as a teller at Marianna Federal Savings and Loan. She served as Office Manager at Chipola Propane for many years, followed by several years as a Program Coordinator with the State of Florida for the Energy Assistance and Food Stamp Program.
Vera was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She was selfless and always put her family first in everything she did. Her great delight was having all of her family gather at her home for meals, holiday celebrations and huge family reunions with as many extended family members as possible.
Vera was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Lee Basford, her parents Alfred and Katie Mae Hart, and her sisters Mary Alice Hewett and Dorothy Vaughn Hastings.
Vera is survived by her daughter Phyllis Kirkland and son-in-law, David Kirkland of Tallahassee; son, Scott Basford and daughter-in-law, Beth Basford of Two Egg; grandchildren, Ashleigh-Anne Hughes (Matthew) of Thomasville, GA, Katie Mitchell (Brian) of Two Egg, Kelly Smith (Nathan) of Tallahassee, Carrie Davis (Justin) of Two Egg, and Jeffrey Basford (Sydney) of Feijó, Brazil; great-grandchildren Bryce Mitchell, Garrison Mitchell, Kyndall Hughes, Abbott Smith, Wyatt Thomas, Oscar Smith, Jackson Davis, Bowen Mitchell, Easton Thomas, AnnaBeth Davis and MaeLee Davis. She is also survived by her sister, Beth Pender of Mary Esther, FL and brother, James Hart (Shirley) of Pace, FL; her sister-in-law, Lenora Broome of Rockledge, FL and brother-in-law, Max Basford of Live Oak, FL. She also has many nieces, nephews, and a large extended family whom she dearly loved.
Visitation will be 5-7 PM Monday, October 30, 2023 at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel.
Funeral services will be 2 PM, Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at Lovedale Baptist Church with Rev. Thomas Anderson and Rev. Jeffrey Basford officiating. Internment will follow at the Lovedale Baptist Church cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home directing.
The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Steven Spence and staff, the nursing staff of Jackson Hospital, and Covenant Care Hospice for the exceptional care provided to Vera.
Floral arrangements or donations to Lovedale Baptist Church in memory of Vera will be appreciated.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com
