Vera M. (Pride) Leighty, 84, died at 9:32 a.m. June 13, 2017, at Hillside Manor Nursing Home in Washington.
Born Oct. 5, 1932, in Pike County, she was the daughter of Raymond and Mearl (Padgett) Pride. Vera married the love of her life, Norman R. Leighty, May 20, 1950. They had 61 happy years together before Norman preceded her in death July 29, 2011. Vera loved her family and was blessed with five children: Marilyn (Steve) Dyer; Rick (Kay) Leighty; Danny (Brenda) Leighty, deceased; Mike (Lisa) Leighty; and Janet (Larry) Trambaugh. Vera had nine grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Vera also had six brothers, Ferral, Gerald, Robert, Billy, Gary and Stephen; and two sisters, Shirley Nicholson and Karen Bennett. Two brothers and one sister are deceased.
Vera worked at different jobs over the years but was happiest working as the head cook at Loogootee Nursing Center where she was fondly called “that short little cook”. Vera also loved to bake, so friends and relatives were frequent recipients of her delicious pies.
Christmas Eve was always special because Vera would cook and cook and shop and shop for all her kids and grandkids. When all the presents were wrapped and stacked it was hard to find the Christmas tree. Vera took up fishing after she retired and made the remark, “Just think, I wasted all this time when I could’ve been fishing!” Because of Vera’s sweet and gentle spirit everyone who knew her grew to love her, even those who so graciously took care of her this last few years in the nursing home and liked to call her “blue eyes.” Vera was a member of the New Hope Christian Church and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, at Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service. Burial will follow at Sugarland Memory Gardens in Washington. Harris Funeral Home is entrusted with care.
For a picture and full obituary, please visit http://obituaries.washtimesherald.com/story/vera-leighty-1932-2017-939547511
