Vera Elizabeth Shifflett

With Thanks and Loving Memories of our Mom, Vera Elizabeth Shifflett.

Momma was born on April 22, 1926 in Albemarle County, Virgina. She passed on to her home in Heaven on August 12, 2024 at the age of 98. She was the middle daughter of the late Elmer Thomas Shifflett and Anna P. Shifflett.

She was also preceded in death by her husband John C. Shifflett, her 2nd husband Medford Hammon and her sisters, Virginia Moser Eddins and Louise Shifflett and an infant brother that she never knew.

She is survived by so many in her family who love her dearly: her children; Linda Bowers, Barbara Shifflett and Bruce Shifflett, along with a daughter-in-law Susan Harkness-Shifflett and her Son-In-Law Bobby Bowers, both of whom she loved as her very own. She leaves 5 grandchildren, Tom Bowers and wife Tonya, Christin Allen and husband Shawn, Ginny Bowman and husband Brandon: Christopher Shifflett and wife Caitlin and Mary Shifflett. She leaves 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandsons. We were so blessed to be able to have 5 generations. We want to acknowledge all the love and care that she received from the staff at the Renaissance Senior Living in Stanardsville. They were more than just caregivers to her; they became her family, and she loved them so much. They walked with Momma and us through her final days.

Momma had so many stories to share with us. She grew up during the Great Depression but in spite of not having a lot for themselves, she said her Momma and Daddy always worked hard and shared whatever they had with extended family and the neighbors in need all around them. She became a Christian in her early 30's. She always said that her life radically changed that day and that she never looked back. If Momma was writing this, she would say that her greatest joy and the thing in life that she is most proud of would be her family. There was nothing on earth that mattered more to her than each of us.

 Whatever she decided to do, she did with excellence. She was fiercely competitive, especially when it came to playing cards. She loved dancing. One of my earliest memories is of her and Grandma dancing around in the kitchen. She joined a square dance club after she retired and she had a whole closet overflowing with those colorful, squaredance dresses and puffy crinnilins.

Her love of basketball began when she was Captain of the girls team at Broadus Wood High School in Earlysville and she continued loving that sport for the rest of her life, as a faithful UVA/ACC fan. She followed the team everywhere to tournaments and playoffs and championships. When she was no longer able to go to the games, she would cheer them on from the recliner. 

 She worked for many years at The Martha Jefferson House in Charlottesville, as their Food Service Manager, till she retired at 70. She loved the residents and especially each one of her staff, whom she considered more like friends and family than just coworkers. 

 Our Mother was a strong, feisty, beautiful, caring woman. Her legacy to all of us is her perseverance, her tenacity and her thankful heart. She taught us to always do things well and to care about others. That's the way she lived and that's the way she loved each of us. When we remember her...and we always will, we will know that we wẹre truly blessed to be her kids.

We love you, Momma.

Linda, Barbara and Bruce

There will be a graveside service at Holly Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, August 20th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, you may honor her with a donation to Medi Hospice of Charlottesville, who compassionately cared for her and her family through those last hours or donate to your favorite charity.

Arrangements are entrusted to Batten Funeral Home of Ruckersville, Virginia. 

We have set up an online guestbook at www.battenfuneral.com for those who wish to share their memories of Vera or express their condolences. Your words will be a source of comfort and strength for the family during this time.