The Shadow
Vera Martin Showalter, 75, crossed over the Golden Strand into a new life. She departed this life on May 1, 2012.
Vera was born in Ronceverte, W.Va. She was the daughter of the late Walter Charlie and Janet Lea Morgan Martin.
Vera graduated Covington High School, Covington, and worked for two years in Washington, D.C. with the Justice Department.
She later worked at Church Court Day School as an assistant teacher. She attended First Church of God and worked as a youth counselor. Vera was a devoted mother and grandmother having spent constant hours taking care of her grandchildren and seeing that they always were provided with whatever they needed for getting through the growing years. She loved to travel and had been to all of the lower 48 states.
She had traveled to Mexico and had also been to Europe on two occasions. Until her hands got sore she was an expert at knitting and had won blue ribbons for her work. She was also a prolific reader having read hundreds of books over the years.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband of 56 years, Louis Ross Showalter, Four children, Janet Mae Pannell and her husband Randy. Ross Showalter II, Wesley Joe Showalter and his wife Tina, and Jessica Megan Hammarback and her husband Lee Ross. Three grandchildren, Troy Morgan Pannell, Robert Louis Pannell and his wife Ashley and Andersen Gein Showalter. One great-grandson, Bauer Ross Hammarback.
She was preceded in death by five brothers, Billy Joe Martin, Jerry Lee Martin, Johnny Martin, Freddie Russell Martin, Samuel Martin, and a sister Mary Sue Crawford.
Surviving brothers are Edwin Wesley Martin and his wife Patricia. Norman Martin and wife Wanda, two sisters, Edith Daniel and her husband Bill, and Rita Gail Martin.
Surviving also are many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the Rader Funeral Home in Daleville. on Thursday evening from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
A graveside service will be conducted Friday at Old Dominion Burial Gardens at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ian Kyle presiding.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the Botetourt Food Bank or to the Shriners Childrens Hospitals.
