Vera Ann (Minnard) Tapp

Vera Ann Minnard Tapp, lifelong resident of Fayette County and wife of the late Vernon Reed Tapp, departed this life Sunday morning, May 4, 2014 at her home. She was 91 years of age and died following an illness of one week.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Tapp were conducted at 11 A.M. Thursday, May 4th at the Somerville Church of Christ with Dave Bland, family friend, officiating. Interment followed in the Carter Cemetery on the Tapp Family Farm. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center — Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mrs. Tapp was born October 1, 1922, in the Macon Community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Thomas Minnard and Mattie Lula Sain Minnard. She was married December 13, 1941, to Vernon Reed Tapp, a US Army soldier, retired Fayette County farmer, cattleman, landowner and tax practitioner, who preceded her in death on November 18, 2008.

Mrs. Tapp was a faithful homemaker for her husband and three children and served the local congregation of the church of Christ as an elder’s wife for 48 years. Her upbringing through the Great Depression certainly shaped her character as she was known for her incredibly strong work ethic and resilience both inside the home and in her prolific gardens. Having her husband proudly back from the war, they began a family together.

Mrs. Tapp constantly helped those around her to be more productive, whether it be her husband returning from a hard day’s work in the fields, her children in need of a good meal, encouragement, and selfless support, or her grandchildren who needed to learn how to hook a worm the right way or put the basketball through the hoop. Life on the farm suited her well. So many memories and stories are to be told of who friends called “Mrs. Tapp” or “Mrs. Vera” and family called “Grandma”, “Mama”, and “V”. She lived a long life on Earth and will be well remembered.

Mrs. Tapp is survived by two daughters, Wanda T. Martinez (Fernando) of Olive Branch, MS, Donna T. Anderson (Steve) of Somerville; her son, Jimmie Glynn Tapp of Somerville; five grandchildren, Angie Schultz, Jeremy Anderson, Troy Tapp, Michael Anderson, Stephanie David; and seven great grandchildren, Dinah Anderson, Malachi Anderson, Miah Schultz, Eli Schultz, Sammy David, Reagan Tapp, and Silas Anderson.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Matt Coats, Jeremy Anderson, Michael Anderson and Troy Tapp.

Honorary casketbearers were George Adams, Darrell Beard, John Foster, Al Helm, Leo Powers, Harold Shivers and Richard Mitchell.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Somerville Church of Christ, 15925 U.S. Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068.