JOPLIN, Mo. —
Vera L. Eastman passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at the home of her sister, Cleo L. Wadkins, in Joplin, Mo.
Vera was born in Joplin, to Banister L. Martin and Laura Nelle (Compton) Martin on May 24, 1915. She was a lifelong resident of Joplin, attending Emerson Elementary School, South Junior High and Joplin Senior High. She graduated as a member of the National Honor Society in 1932. Graduating in the midst of the depression she was fortunate to find work at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. as a telephone operator working three days a week. She continued working until 1940, when she was married to Jesse W. Eastman. They lived in Anderson, Mo. while Jesse was principal at Pineville High School.
To this union three sons were born and Vera became a "Home Mom" until 1958, when she reentered the business world working for insurance companies. She retired in 1983, from Phil Garvin Insurance Agency. While working Vera was able to take several Jefferson Line Bus trips traveling in all states except Wisconsin.
After retiring, Jesse and Vera were able to take several cruises as well as tour Europe, Japan, China, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.
Vera was a member of the First Community Church, the Eastern Star and The Woman's Club of Joplin. She and her sister volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Freeman Auxiliary for over 10 years.
Vera was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1995, and her first born, Martin Luther in 1947.
She is survived by her sister, Cleo L. Wadkins; her sons, Mark Stuart Eastman and wife, Ellen and Kent Douglas Eastman and wife, "C.B."; her grandson, Stuart Eastman and wife, Kristin; her granddaughter, Maggie Eastman; and her precious great-grandchildren, Wilson, Luke, Ellie and Caroline.
Funeral services for Mrs. Eastman will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary Chapel in Joplin, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Craig Tally officiating. Burial will follow in the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri. The family will receive friends on Tuesday afternoon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are being directed to the First Community Church or the charity or your choice; contributions may be left at the mortuary office.
On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.thornhilldillon.com
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin.
Obits
Related Photos
-
Eastman, Juanita.jpg
Condolences
Vera Eastman
- Obits
-
-
Joe M. Patterson
Joe M. Patterson, age 80, of Ozark, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2013.
-
Eva Mae Hulen
Eva Mae Hulen, age 79, of Webb City, Mo., passed away Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Freeman Hospital following a sudden illness.
-
Karen Lee Vigil
Karen Lee Vigil, age 69, of Carl Junction, Mo., a wonderful wife and mother, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Freeman Hospital.
-
Mary Anne Cruzan
Webb City, Mo. - Mary Anne Cruzan, age 88, of Webb City, Mo. passed away at 10:20 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2013, at National Healthcare in Joplin.
-
Gerald E. Cooper
Gerald E. "Jerry" Cooper, 87, passed away on May 22, 2013, at Mt. Vernon Veterans Home.
-
Dorothy Taylor
Dorothy Jewell (Wooldridge) Taylor, 87, widow of the late United States Congressman Gene Taylor, of Sarcoxie, Mo., passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013, at her home after a sudden illness.
-
Roy Warren Johnson
In loving memory of Roy Warren Johnson
-
Anna Louise Johnson
Anna Louise Johnson, age 79, of Baxter Springs, Kan., a former resident of Park Plaza Mobile Home Park in Joplin, passed away at 3:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Quaker Hill Skilled Nursing.
-
Mary Stratton
Mary Stratton, 78, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Monday, May 20, 2013, at Jamestown Nursing & Rehab in Rogers, Ark.
-
Phyllis Pim
Phyllis Pim, a lifetime resident of Joplin, Mo., joined her awaiting husband in heaven on May 20, 2013.
- More Obits Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
