Vera Mae Goodman Flowers

Vera Mae Goodman Flowers of Yemassee, South Carolina passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro, Georgia on September 25, 2019 at the age of 90. Mrs. Flowers was born on February 22, 1929 in Abbeville, Georgia and was the daughter of James Ellison Goodman and Mattie Grace Sloman.

Mrs. Flowers attended public schools in Abbeville and developed a lifelong affinity for pigs after watching them play in the mud as a child.  During her lifetime she collected over 200 pig memorabilia which are now safely entrusted to her grandchildren.  She was a graduate of the Savannah Beauty College and owned and operated Vera’s Beauty Shop in Yemassee, South Carolina for over 40 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Wade Hampton Flowers Sr. whom she married December 25, 1953. They were married for 53 years until his death at 7:53 AM on March 4, 2007. She followed him at 9:53 PM.  Mrs. Flowers is also preceded in death by her son, Wade Hampton Flowers Jr. and siblings, Margaret Pittman, Reba Aragon, and Bonnie Carr.

Her hands were rarely still as evidenced by her exceptional hand sewing including smocking outfits for her grand and great-grandchildren especially at Easter. She also made beautiful custom designed quilts. She was very involved in service work with her husband who was a Shriner. A longtime member of the Yemassee First Baptist Church, she served on the hostess committee. Upon retirement she was named parade chairmen for the inaugural Yemassee Shrimp Festival in 1994 and served as a poll watcher during political elections. Vera and W.H. enjoyed many summers at their mountain house in Boone, North Carolina. They spent their free time in the mountains attending auctions and refinishing antique furniture to pass down to future generations. Vera loved to dance including her last dance on her 90^th birthday at Harold’s Country Club.

She played a part in the movie Chasers and a mini-series The Week The Women Went. She also shared her love by cooking for everyone and producing meals that were the highlight of all the family gatherings.  Her friends and family encouraged her to publish a cookbook with all her favorite recipes memorializing these meals for future generations. Her cherished nicknames include: Spunky, Sadie, Grandmomma, but the one she adored the most was MaMa.

She enjoyed traveling with her grandchildren. She took her first flight at the age of 76 and while on a trip to Cabo, Mexico she ziplined at age 80. Mrs. Flowers is survived by four children Gail Anderson Baker (Tony), Martinez, Georgia, Nora Anderson Broadwater (Mike), Graniteville, South Carolina, Fletcher Edward Flowers (Paula), Yemassee, South Carolina, Karen Flowers Lambert (Doug), Statesboro, Georgia. Her life was enriched by the joy of eleven grandchildren: Paul Stroupe, Steven Stroupe, Robin Broadwater Hensley (Troy), Chad Broadwater, Ryan Flowers Smith (Whit), Chase Flowers, Katy Brant Gourdin (Chris), Marlee Brant, Scott Lambert (Julie), Stephanie Lambert Meisner (Chad), Savanna Lambert Prevatt. To add to her overflowing joy, she was blessed by her great-grands, Cody Stroupe, Brandon Stroupe, Randi Herron, Sawyer Smith, Eason Donaldson, Henslee Owens, Paige Meisner, Ava Meisner, Sutton Prevatt, and Harper Rose Lambert. Also surviving is a brother James Goodman (Linda), sister-in-law Janice Flowers (Bill) and her loving nieces, nephews and numerous other relatives.

Pallbearers will be Paul Stroupe, Steven Stroupe, Mike Broadwater, Chad Broadwater, Chase Flowers, Whit Smith, Chris Gourdin and Taylor McKenzie. Honorary Pallbearers will be the sons-in-law and great-grandsons Tony Baker, Doug Lambert, Cody Stroupe, Brandon Stroupe, and Eason Donaldson.

The family will be forever grateful for the love and care she received from Ms. Betty Robbins, her caretaker. Betty’s devoted care extended her life for many years. Mrs. Flowers and Betty enjoyed daily lunches consisting of whatever Vera requested. 

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W Adams St, Ridgeland, SC 29936. A graveside service will be held at Ebenezer Cemetery, Ebenezer Road, Yemassee, SC 29945 at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 29, 2019.

Because of Vera’s exceptional care during her final earthly days, the family would be honored to have donations made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, 200 Donehoo Street, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 in lieu of flowers.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Vera Mae Goodman Flowers, please visit our Tree Store.