Vera Thompson Poulson

Homegoing Celebration for Vera PoulsonVERA POULSON was the second child of William and Thelma (nee Jackson) Moore. A native Baltimorean, Vera was born on August 9, 1925. Vera lived her entire in Baltimore, where she made and maintained many friends. Once Vera had enrolled you into her life, you were there for keeps. She nourished friends and family with love, good humor and great food. A day at Vera’s house was always filled with the sweet aromas of “two meats, lots of succulent vegetables, great music and lots of laughs. We can still remember hearing Vera saying things like “A heap sees but few knows;” or “I eat mutton and say nutton.” Vera was a devoted member of Gillis Memorial Church, which she first joined when the church was on Stockton Street. Although, not an active member of church clubs, Vera regularly paid her tithes and attended service until she took sick in November of 2001. Vera, for the most part a single mother of two, worked very hard all of her life. Steady and dependable, Vera held each of her four jobs for very long periods. These jobs included stints at the Fort Meade Commissary, the Seton Institute and the Baltimore Board of Education. After retiring from the Board of Education at age 62, Vera worked for 9 years as a school bus chaperon. The most significant part of Vera’s life was the time she spent with her family. Vera was married twice. Her first marriage to Clarence Thompson produced two children Brenda Gross and Melva White. This marriage also gave Vera a second family that she stayed closely connected to even after her divorce from Clarence. In fact when she married Bernard Poulson, she united him with both of her families. Vera’s relationship with her daughters was extraordinary. She was their mother, friend, and confidant. They loved, trusted and shared very joyful healthy relationships. Both daughters inherited Vera’s wit. So spending an evening with them usually meant laughing until your sides ached. Her daughters gave her three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Vera took her roles as family matron very seriously. She could be depended on to show-up, unannounced with surprise treats and rescues that might include anything from bags of eatables goodies to a paid utility bill. Vera’s spirit will be cherished forever by daughters, Brenda E. Gross and Melva White; grandchildren, Jerome Montague, Nicol Gross-Singh and Darney Gross-Sims; great-grandchildren, Zaire Gross, Tony Sims and Kai Sims; aunts, Algie Bohier (NY), Irene Washington (VA) and Roxie Harry (VA); uncle, Wilroy Jackson (VA); cousin, Richard McGee; sisters-in-law, Cathryn Moore and G. Joyce Hamer; brother –in-law, Clyde Dorsey; nieces and nephews, Enest Moore, Marla Moore, Marcus Moore, Hope Roane, Aurelia Davenport, Elvera Kirk and Keith Dorsey; and a host of grand-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Vera Thompson Poulson

August 9, 1925 - November 18, 2002