Vera Mae King-Gantt

Mrs. Vera King-Gantt was granted her angel wings on Sunday, March 14, 2021. The sun shined on this special day as God opened his arms and welcomed her home. Her final days were spent surrounded by her family and special friends. Mrs. Gantt was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and a loyal friend. More importantly, she was a faithful child of God. 

Her journey started on May 29, 1930, when she was born in Hughes, Arkansas on the Gordon Plantation to the union of George Johnson and Rosa (Henderson) Johnson. Vera had seven siblings: Ida, Betsy, Sidney Jeans, Joe, Burl, Neomia Johnson, and LC Cook. All her siblings preceded her in death. Vera was baptized in Mound City, Arkansas at the age of 11. She remained faithful to God and was a long-time member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana under the leadership of the late Pastor Hardy N. Petty. She was an active and dutiful member where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the choir, and a member of the missions board. She later joined Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana under the leadership of Pastor André A McGhee. She was no longer able to be mobile during this time, but her faith and love for God never wavered. Mrs. Gantt enjoyed reading the bible. She would often share her favorite scripture from Psalms 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" 

Mrs. Gantt was the mother of nine children who affectionately referred to her as “Mother": Assata Damani, Pastor James E. (Cathryn) King, Sylvia (the late Charles) Moran, Joseph King, who also preceded her in death, (Evelyn), Elton (Kathy) King, Howard (Karen) King Timothy King, John King, and Cynthia King-Harris (Fred). She was blessed with 29 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren who will miss their ‘mamaw’ dearly.

She was preceded in death by a special grandson, Jimmie (Ato) Herron; and his daughter, Dominique Laquise Shampaigne Herron aka, ‘Nina.’

Vera also leaves behind a special sister-friend, Mrs. Janie Godard; and a special sister-in-law, Sam Ella Shield.

Vera will be missed for her great sense of humor, the wisdom she would impart to others given the knowledge she gained in the 90 years she was blessed to live, and those marvelous pineapple coconut cakes she would prepare for her family. 

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