Vera Harrell
May 8, 1942 — October 8, 2010
VERA GRACE WILSON HARRELL Vera Grace Wilson Harrell was born on May 8, 1942 in Houston, Mississippi to Addiest and Clarence Wilson. She confessed her faith and was baptized at an early age. She attended Lincoln Senior High School in Forrest City, Arkansas. Following graduation she married Roscoe Turner on Nov, 4 1962 and relocated to Southern California. In 1972, she moved to Northern, California where her enterprising spirit and her passion for cooking blossomed. Vera married John Wesley Harrell on Nov. 20, 1976 and together they opened Big J & V's, an award winning Soul Food Restaurant in Sacramento, California. Her adventurous spirit carried her to San Antonio, Texas in 1995 where she started the 777 Club, a travel and tours business with her partner of fifteen years, Earnest Akins. Vera wholeheartedly dedicated herself to her family and raising her seven children. She steadfastly encouraged her family to trust God, dream big and achieve great things. Vera believed that education was the key to unlock many doors and demonstrated her willingness to learn by regularly taking classes at Northeast Lakeview Community College. Vera was her children's staunchest supporter and biggest fan. She was and will remain a positive motivating force in the lives and continued success of her children and her children's children. Through the years, her brand of self determination, resilience, and resourcefulness served to provide a strong foundation for her own children and many other children who had the benefit of her wisdom. No matter where Vera found herself she was actively involved in the lives of her family, she was also involved in other organizations and volunteered her services throughout her community including: Daughter of the Eastern Stars (Bay Area), New Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church Choir, New Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Oakland California, Outreach Ministry, The Greater Randolph Area Senior Program, The American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Team, The Resurrection Baptist Church Choir, The Resurrection Baptist Church Hospitality Ministry, Resurrection Baptist Church Women's Ministry, Olympia Neighborhood Association, and the Daughters of the Elks #499. Vera leaves to cherish her memory six children: Sandra Pratt (Bryan), Darryl Turner, Roscoe Turner (Rebecca), Kenneth Turner (Valerie), Dwayne Turner (Winetta), John Harrell; five siblings, Addist Mae Leonard (Herbert) of New Britain, CT, Margaret Hayes of Forrest City, AR, Louise Leakes (Frederick) of Colt, AR, Calvin Wilson of New Britain, CT and Carl Wilson of Converse, TX; twenty grandchildren, six great-grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Tyrone Turner, and her brother Clarence Wilson and in 1992 her husband, John Harrell. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at Schertz Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Resurrection Baptist Church in Schertz, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Vera Grace Memorial Scholarship Fund at Resurrection Baptist Church, P.O. Box 152, Schertz, Texas, 78154.
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