Vera E. Burwell

Vera Burwell died at home, October 4, 2004, after a brief illness. The youngest of three children, Vera was born September 22, 1919 to Edgar and Mildred Cotton. She grew up in Danvers, MA, graduating as the valedictorian of the class of 1938 of Houlton High School. She went on to graduate from Beverly Hospital Nursing School in 1941 and had a rewarding nursing career. She worked as a hospital and office nurse in Exeter and Hampton Falls, NH for many years. She loved and was loved by scores of people whom she helped to heal.

Vera was happily married to her husband, Charles, for 55 years. Together with Charles’ parents, they owned and operated a poultry and dairy farm in NH for 30 years. After the farm was sold, Vera and Charles went to work for Heifer Project International, a self-help organization. They lived and worked in Cameroon, West Africa, in Little Rock, AK and on the island of Antigua doing livestock development under the auspices of USAID, Winrock International and the Ministries of Agriculture. During this time, Vera opened her heart and home to development staff and volunteers from around the world.

She was the devoted mother to her 2 daughters, Dr. Rebecca J. Corvey and Rev. Deborah B. Knowlton and a loving grandmother to her 5 grandchildren, Douglas Reed, Matthew and Kathryn Corvey, Daniel and Sarah Knowlton. She has been a member of both Congregational and Presbyterian churches in NH and GA and has served as deacon, devotional coordinator for the women’s group and Sunday School teacher. Her other accomplishments included raising dogs, reading, gardening, sewing, cooking, and interior decorating. Her family gives thanks for her life with these words of Proverbs 31: “Many women have done excellently, but she surpassed them all.”

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2004 in the Chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in thanksgiving for Vera’s life can be made to Houston County Hospice, 103 Westridge Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088