Vera Marie Wilkerson VanNorman, 80, of Smithdale, MS passed away on January 2, 2025 at her residence.

A graveside service will be held on January 15, 2025 at Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery at 1 PM. Bro. Shan VanNorman and Bro. Alton Foster will officiate. Hartman Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Marie was born on March 13, 1944 in Pike Co., MS to the late John Preston Wilkerson and Vera Dee Barron Wilkerson. Over the years, she served her church through being a member of the choir, the children's music program, GA's, leading Vacation Bible School and teaching Sunday school for a variety of different age groups at East Fork Baptist Church and Tangipahoa Baptist Church. She loved her husband and her daughter. In her recent years, she looked forward to attending Tuesday Night Prayer Group at Gloria William's home. She also enjoyed spending time with her "adopted" daughters, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Henry VanNorman; one daughter Vera Denise "Dee" VanNorman; sister Annie Wilkerson; her brothers John Edgar Wilkerson, Vernon Wilkerson and Grady Lee Wilkerson, Sr.; nephew Grady Lee Wilkerson, Jr.; and niece Lila Susan Kelly.

She is survived by her "adopted" children Angie Dunaway (Ricky), April Coley (Neal Edmonds), and Kristi Moak (Brad); seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; niece Stacy Wilkerson Barth (Gordon); one special sister-in-law Donna Wilkerson; her lifetime best friend Kay Walters Blalock; along with numerous other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Ricky Dunaway, Brodie Dunaway, Dale Williams, Brently Coley, Tim Wilkinson, and Gary VanNorman.