Vera L. (Douglas) Sloan

Vera Sloan Obituary Vera Loretta Douglas Sloan, a dedicated family member, friend, and career educator, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Legacy Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation in North Royalton, Ohio. Vera and her twin sister Vivian were born on May 8,1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late John Edward Douglas, Sr., and Helen Baynes Douglas. Vera was 79 years of age. Vera received her education in the Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from East Technical High School in 1962. In 1966, Vera was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education, with a concentration in Mathematics, from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio. This was a very proud, milestone moment for her entire family because she was the first member of the family to earn a college degree! Following her college graduation, Vera began her life-long career in education with a teaching job in Detroit, Michigan. While teaching in Detroit, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from Wayne State University. Years later, she returned to Cleveland and shared her gifts with the Cleveland Public Schools, Cuyahoga Community College, and Cleveland State University. Vera retired in 2010 after more than 25 years of service to the teaching profession. A very important part of Vera’s life was her faith. She was introduced to the Lord at a very early age by her maternal grandmother, Ruth West Baynes, who taught Vera and her siblings the importance of prayer. Every morning, they prayed together from Psalm 1: “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” And Psalm 121: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Vera began her personal, spiritual journey in the Baptist church. In later years, she would find comfort in the Catholic faith and fully embraced its principles. Vera was a devout member of Church of the Gesu; and she prayed and studied her Bible throughout the day. Vera was known as a quiet, loving, and gentle person who enjoyed helping others and who preferred to serve “behind the scenes” wherever she was needed. After a long day of teaching in the classroom, she could be found patiently tutoring the children of friends and family who needed help with math. In service to their community, Vera, Vivian, and three others founded the Christian Women in Fellowship for Weight Loss in January 1995. This group of women met weekly in Vera and Vivian’s home where they were fed physically as well as spiritually. Vera was the administrative coordinator who contacted members regarding meetings and other events; and she assisted with fundraising activities. She also worked in registration at the group’s annual retreat ensuring that each participant felt welcome and their logistical needs were met. Throughout her life, Vera was a big TV fan who enjoyed sitting in her recliner while watching her favorites programs, including religious programs, Lifetime movies, old Western TV series, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy. She appreciated good food, especially soul food; and she LOVED to travel! Her first venture outside the state of Ohio was a high school graduation trip to White Plains, N.Y. in June 1962. After she and Vivian spent two weeks in New York traveling from White Plains to New York City numerous times, they were both hooked! This trip whetted her appetite for national and international travel. Among her many destinations were Alaska, Europe, South America, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Tanzania, China, Spain, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Australia. She had no favorite destination but enjoyed them all. And she was always excited about the next adventure. Vera was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Ruth West Baynes; her parents, John Edward Douglas, Sr., and Helen Baynes Douglas; brother, John Edward Douglas, Jr.; nephew, Willie James Stokes; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and godmother, Jereline Ward. She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy her sisters, Marie Ellen Douglas Stokes, and Vivian (Rev. Robert) Hall; nephews, Jack (Tee) Stokes, Stanford Stokes, John Stokes, Jerome Stokes, Walter (Kim) Stokes, Joseph (Diane) Stokes, Ezra (Aretha) Stokes, and Garland (Vivian D.) Hairston; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and a host of extended family, adopted family, and friends. Vera Loretta Douglas Sloan, may you rest eternally in the arms of your heavenly Father. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vera L. (Douglas) Sloan, please visit our floral store. Read More

Vera L. (Douglas) Sloan

May 8, 1944 - February 11, 2024