Verna Helen Kingery

It is with the deepest sorrow our family announces the passing of our beloved mother Mrs. Verna Helen Kingery of Lakeland Florida. Our mother was born on March 7th,1930 In Pierson, Florida. Mother was a second-generation Floridian. The legacy of her family spans 6 generations in Florida. Mother was the 2nd youngest of 5 children. She lived in a war time crisis, but led an active high school life, and was a leading player on the Pierson H.S. women's basketball team. After high school, life eventually led her into her career with Southern Bell Telephone and a relocation to Fort Pierce, Florida. There she met and married her first husband Charles R. Nichols. They had two sons Robert Stanley Nichols and Jay Charles Nichols. Mother divorced in the early 60's, eventually meeting Jack D. Kingery. They married and moved to Jack's home state of Ohio. There the family grew by two more. Kevin Scott Kingery and Gary Wayne Kingery. After more than a decade in College Corner and Hueston Woods State Park Ohio, Jack and Verna returned to central Florida, living and working in Winter Haven. In 1981 Jack succumbed to cancer and mother spent the rest of her life as a single working mother. In her 70's mother retired from Verizon, after a career that spanned five decades. Most of mother's retirement was spent living in her home in Lakeland, Florida. She loved spending time with her grandsons who live nearby, especially her boating excursions with Nathan. She loved spending time on trips with friends, and of course trips with family. She was devoted to her regular mall walking excursions with her many mall walking friends and walked right up until illness forced into a very serious battle against cancer. During her entire time living in Central Florida she was a congregant of Grace Lutheran Church where both Kevin and Gary attended school. Mother is survived by her four children: Robert Nichols (spouse Annette), Jay Nichols (spouse Ginger), Kevin Kingery (spouse Trina), and Gary Kingery (spouse Amy), brother Willard Swanson, sister Anna Anderson. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She is predeceased by her mother Marian, and father Stanley, eldest brother Edward and eldest sister Mary. The family wishes to thank the Good Shepherd Hospice for the loving care of our Mother in her final days. God has called one of his most precious treasures into his loving arms. Funeral services Friday, January 15th at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Winter Haven. Viewing at 1:00 PM, with Christian service at 2:00 PM, interment to follow at Lakeside Memorial park. Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com