Vera Jean Childers

Whittier - Vera Jean Childers, 96, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Swain County Hospital.

Vera Jean Childers was born June 10, 1928, in Macon County, NC, to the late Edward Candler Childers and Nannie Holbrook Childers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother James Ernest Childers, sisters-in-law Annie Lois Shields Childers and Nancy Childers, brothers-in-law Harold Curtis Revis (Betty) and Thomas Joe Willis (Betty), nephew Kenneth Childers and great-niece Sarah Thaw

Jean was a graduate of Brevard College and Berea College of Kentucky and received a master’s degree from North Carolina State University. She retired after 34 years of employment with the Extension service where she worked in Haywood, Watauga and Transylvania counties. One of the honors she had received was serving as third vice president of the National Association of Extension Home Economists for a two-year term. Following retirement, Jean returned to her family home "to enjoy life on the farm" and her community.

Jean is survived by a sister Betty Childers Willis of Chesapeake, VA, and a brother, Alden Edward Childers of Whittier, NC; nieces Kimberly (Steve) Heasley of Ponchatoula, LA,, Kay Childers of Florida, Karen (Terry) Partain of Sylva, NC, Margaret (Jerry) Revis of Raleigh, NC, and Laura (Bryan) Marston of Chesapeake, Virginia, and nephews, Kirk (Sandra) Childers of Charlottesville, VA, and Kevin Childers of Modesto, CA. In addition, Vera also leaves behind great-nieces, Brooke (Matt) Doss, Paige (Adam) Bowers, Kymberly (Chris) Cox, Kayla Griffin, Kylee Roberts, Emily Thaw, Natalie Partain, Payton Revis, Madelyn Childers, and Lola Childers; great-nephews, Reed Vencill, Shane Childers, Justin (Meghan) Partain, Jared (Ariel) Partain, and Kyle Revis; five great-great nieces, Maya, Nora, Victoria, Evelyn and Clara; four great-great nephews, Morgan, Seth, Noam and Christian; as well several cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with Preacher Jared Partain officiating. Burial will follow at Swain Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 prior to the service at the funeral home.

Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva is in charge of the arrangements.