COLUMBUS
Vera Jean Tower Brown, 91, passed from this life Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Vera was born in LaPorte County, Indiana on August 7, 1933. Vera was the wife of Ralph Brown, whom she married on October 24, 1953 at Rolling Prairie Methodist Church.
Vera graduated from LaPorte High School in 1951. She proudly attended Purdue University. She was a graduate of South Bend College of Commerce in 1954 and Ball State Teachers College, earning her Bachelors in 1961, her Masters in 1967, and her Education Specialist Doctorate in 1981.
Vera was an elementary school teacher in Muncie and Lebanon prior to coming to Bartholomew County schools in 1969.
Her legacy at BCSC includes teacher at Ogilville and Mt. Healthy, principal – Wayne, Taylorsville, Rockcreek; started the English as a Second language program and migrant summer school project; Language Arts and Reading Consultant.
At McDowell, Vera taught adult classes of Adult Basic Education and 32 original language speakers in English as a second language classes.
Vera “failed retirement” and returned to serve as principal at Parkside, Taylorsville and St. Peter’s Lutheran. Vera served as Director and Education Advisor at the Kidscommons Children’s Museum.
Vera also was the Clerk/Treasurer of Westville, IN; A reporter for the Michigan News Reporter; Secretary at Norman Beatty Hospital and an Instructor at Purdue University and IUPUI at Columbus. Her most cherished roles were Mother and Grandmother.
Vera served on the boards of the Bartholomew County Historical Society, Delta Kappa Gamma, Dancers, Inc., and First United Methodist Church staff parish.
Additional involvement: Psi Iota Xi, 4-H leader, Cub Scout Leader, Cheerleading coach, BCSC District and Facilities Committee for Columbus East High School Building Project.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her daughter, Anne-Marie Chatham and her husband, Lloyd of Lafayette; her sister, Doris Miller of Richmond, IN; her daughter-in-law, Sue Ellen Brown of Columbus; her grandchildren, Daniel Brown and his wife, Joan Hanson of Indianapolis and Rachel Kimmel and her husband, Konnor of Carmel; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Brown; her son, Glen Brown; her parents, J. Harold and Ethel Tower; her sister, Jane T. Dahl; and her brother, James H Tower, M.D.
Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4-7pm Wednesday, March 5, 2025 and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home, 1029 Washington Street, Columbus, IN; the Reverends Mackenzie Phillips and Chris Lantz will officiate.
Burial will follow at Garland Brook Cemetery.
In memory of Mrs. Brown memorial contributions may be given to the Glen Brown Memorial Student Athlete Scholarship through the Bartholomew County School Foundation.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Brown family at barkesweaverglick.com
