Vera Pyeatt

Vera Mae Pyeatt, 86, of Brenham Texas, was called home by the Lord on July 2, 2026.

Born on September 14, 1939, in Burnet, Texas, to Mabry and Eda Jackson, she was the sixth of 11 children. Married young to Ronald Pyeatt, she had three children, Sherry, Mallory, and Raymond (who she refused to call Ray because “that’s not what I named him”).

Besides taking care of her children and later being Grandma to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Vera worked most of her adult life as a waitress and she took great pride in the fact that her customers asked for her when they came into the restaurant. She also blamed carrying those large heavy trays of food at eye level as the reason for her injured left shoulder that barely functioned late in her life.

Vera was known to family and friends as funny, feisty, stubborn, cranky, kind, caring, reclusive, outgoing, and witty with a large dose of sarcastic thrown in to keep people on their toes. Beneath all of that was a proud and intelligent woman who worked hard to support her family and herself.

To her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who she loved dearly and “never saw enough”, she was Grandma Vera. These youngsters knew she was always willing to play dress up, always had special trinkets she kept just for them to enjoy, always loved to have a tea party complete with cookies, and always wanted another hug before they left.

Vera loved to share her childhood memories. Some were good and some were of the struggles of growing up “dirt poor” as she put it. Her favorite memories typically involved her younger sisters who have said many times that they saw her as a second mother. One of these stories was of the cold winter nights on a “sleeping porch” where they huddled under a layer of quilts to stay warm. Listening to her describe it, one could almost see the picture she created where just their little noses and eyes could be seen as they were trapped by a layer of quilts so heavy they could barely breathe!

Sure, some of these stories may have been embellished or evolved over time, but it was clear she loved telling them and perhaps used them to stay connected to the past as much as possible as she dealt with aging and a failing memory that sometimes frustrated her but kept those around her laughing.

Time also eliminated all traces of any filter she may have once had, and she was not shy about telling someone they needed to lose weight, wear a longer skirt, cut their hair, or that they “need to be slapped”. Typically, if she thought it, she said it. This lack of a filter also brought a reply of “Grandma you can’t say that!!!” from her granddaughter Michelle on many, many occasions.

As it turned out, if she threatened to slap you it usually meant she loved you. This was especially true of the staff at the Kruse Village Senior Living Community. Countless staff there were told she was going to slap them and some were in fact smacked on the rear end. She loved these people and wasn’t shy about telling them or asking them whether they loved her too. Clearly, they did and every extra cup of coffee, every hug, and every moment they spent talking with her was special to her and to her family who witnessed their kindness countless times.

Despite age, illness (including surviving lung, breast, and brain cancer), dementia, and being just days from her passing, Vera was given a moment of clarity and asked the Lord Jesus to forgive her of her sins and asked Him to take her home. This expression of her ongoing faith was an inspiration not only to those who witnessed it, but to others who have been told subsequently.

Vera is survived by her son Ray and his wife Tina, who lovingly helped care for Vera’s physical and spiritual needs late in her life. Granddaughters Michelle, who took on more than her share of hospital visits with Grandma (and her husband Michael) and Jessica (and her husband Zach). Grandsons Brian (and his wife Jennifer), Mark, Patrick (and his wife Kaylynn), Thomas (and his wife Dulce), and Robert. She is also survived by her three younger sisters, 11 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and their children.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Memories may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.