Vera Dee Redding

Vera Dee (Mather) Redding was born December 18, 1925, to Jesse and Elizabeth Byrd. She passed away June 24, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Dee Redding; her firstborn, Thomas Wayne Redding; her baby daughter, Shirley Gale Redding; her parents; and all 11 siblings.

Survivors are five of her children, Mary Lee (J.R.) Bludau, Larry (Eulane) Redding, Vera Mae Redding, Carl Redding and Mike (Cheryl) Redding; grandchildren, Rodney and Thomas Redding Jr., Michele White, Deborah Humphreys, Doug Smith, Laura, Jamie and Jimmy Redding, Marcie Brown, Serena Leeton, Dani and Brent Redding, Laci Durbin and Tucker Redding; as well as numerous great- and great-great-grandkids.

Mom met her beloved husband, Willie Dee Redding, at age of 15, married and one year later, had a baby boy, Thomas Wayne, then Mary Lee, then Larry. Thinking they were through, along came Vera Mae four years later. Again thinking they were through, three years later came Carl, then Mike, then Shirley. Yes, they were blessed with seven children. Mom was our rock and a very strong woman who always lived for the Lord. She made sure her children were in church as much as she could and always prayed for us and our safety. Reading the Bible was one of her favorite pastimes and playing her gospel music and country music as well. She loved “You Are My Sunshine.” She was a firm believer of the golden rule, “Do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” We might have lost sight of that a time or two and did to them as they did to us.

Being in the ranching/farming business, we had little money, but we were fed very well. We were never hungry. We always had red beans and cornbread and fried potatoes. Carl had fried bologna with his potatoes. She wanted us kids to have new clothes and shoes, so she went to work. We had mostly hand-me-downs, but she wanted to be able to buy us new things every once in a while. She took her turn at the Dairy Diner, Ben Franklin’s and the school cafeteria. She brought joy to everyone around her and was always smiling. We remember people telling us that they loved her smile and her personality…always happy and spreading joy.

Mom loved working in the garden…vegetable garden that she grew herself. She loved throwing out corn for the deer and turkey at the ranch and having her own deer blind on the porch that made it convenient for her to go in the house when she wanted to. Cooking her homemade biscuits is a great memory for all of us. Her biscuits were the best along with the deer meat she would fry.

She loved to fish, bowl, play dominoes, cards and dance. Yes, a dancing Baptist! Fishing brought her great joy being with Dad and her in-laws and she was the one catching all the fish. She and Dad were in a bowling league until cancer struck Dad. He bowled till he had no more energy. After his death, Mom started bowling again and did quite well. She won a few awards until she had to give it up due to her thumb developing “ole” author! She then started going to senior centers to enjoy the rest of her hobbies – dancing, dominoes and cards. She had so many friends there and, of course, they all loved her. She danced till she could not stand up for very long anymore. She said she could if someone would just hold her up.

In her last years, the dominoes and cards kept her happy as long as she was winning…just kidding, but she would tease whoever won, of cheating. She was very good and still had a clear mind to play the games. Tickled her pink to win and we did not let her either. She won on her own.

Having a walker with wheels really helped her walk pretty fast. Had to tell her to slow down a time or two. At 99, she was still strong-willed and wanted to do things for herself for as long as she could and we let her to stay mobile. After a few months, she could no longer sit very long to play cards. Mom would not go anywhere except to get her hair done and to the doctor if needed and that ended too. With that being said: She loved seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren come visit. Always loved their hugs and she would have the biggest smile when they opened her door and went in to see her. Made her happy! Of course, she loved seeing her big kids as well and anyone else who came to visit.

Mom never stopped being “Mom.” Continuing giving us advice and telling us what to do…BUT she loved us and prayed always for us. This little saying is our mom – “The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where she resides and the beauty is reflected in her soul.”

Mama, to the world you may be one person, but to us, you are the world! Love you Mom!!

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Oakville Baptist Church followed by the funeral service at 11 o’clock with Pastor Larry Holden officiating.

Vera will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery in Robstown at 2 o’clock that afternoon.

Pallbearers will be Rodney Redding, Thomas Redding, Jr., Doug Smith, Jimmy Dale Redding, Brent Redding and Tucker Redding.