Vera Mae Mackey, 96, passed away on Sunday, December 13, 2020 in Lawton, Oklahoma.  She was born on October 21, 1924 on a farm north of Montezuma, to Mabel Eugenia (Courbot) and Arthur Henry Steward.

Vera graduated from Montezuma High School in 1942.  In the fall of 1942, she received a letter offering a Civil Service position in Washington D.C. to work for the War Department during World War II.  She returned home to visit family when her mother passed away.  She then stayed and worked for Wheat Growers Hail Insurance Company in Cimarron.

Vera met Carl Mackey and became engaged in 1944 when he entered into the United States Army.  They were married on December 21, 1946 in Dodge City when Carl returned home from World War II.  Together, they lived and worked on their family farm near Montezuma.  After 35 years of farming, Carl and Vera moved to Dodge City.

Vera was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She worked in the Family History Center for 28 years doing her own family genealogy as well as assisting others with their family histories. Family was always most important to Vera.  She was a devoted wife and mother and she loved spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was a faithful example in her belief of Jesus Christ.

In 2013, Vera and Carl moved to Lawton, Oklahoma.  Her husband, Carl, passed away, after 71 years of marriage, in December of 2017.

Survivors include a daughter, Karen (Boyd) Dastrup of Lawton, Oklahoma; a son, Larry (Glenda) Mackey of Dodge City; a niece, Mary (Larry) Addison of Cimarron; a daughter-in-law, Carol Mackey of Abilene; a sister, Lorraine Everton of Bullhead City, Arizona; 14 grandchildren; and many great and great-great grandchildren.  Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; two sons, Carl Lynn Mackey and Leslie Ray Mackey; a sister, Doris Jean Benton Mainwaring; a brother, Arlie Henry Steward; and a grandson, Bryant W. Mackey.

Private graveside services will be held at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Dodge.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.