Vera Mae Staten Burress Foster, 81, passed away, July 16, 2020 in Chattanooga. She was a devoted member of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, where she served in the Nurses Guild, Choir, and as church mother.

Vera graduated from Lakeview High School in Guntersville, AL. She attended several colleges and universities and received her nursing degree from Dalton College. Vera retired from nursing in 1999, having worked in Huntsville and Guntersville, AL. and Hutcheson Memorial Hospital in Fort Oglethorpe, GA.

She was predeceased by her parents, James and Ruby Staten; brothers Henry and James Staten.

She leaves to cherish her memories, daughters, Karmen Demetries Avery, Rossville, GA.; Melinda (Stephen) Gilchrist, Chattanooga, TN; Donna (Jeffery) Evans, Ft. Oglethorpe, GA; son, James (Donna) Burress, Chattanooga, TN; six grandchildren, Thomas (Avis) Burress, Tomeco Avery, Tyrone Avery, James Burress, Jr., Maria Gilchrist, Lashana Palmer; 4 great-grandchildren; brothers, Charlie (Pearlene) Staten and Oscar Staten; sister, Mary (Dan) Tibbs; special friends and family, Johnny Foster, Shirley Woods, Bessie Gilbert, Hazel Christopher, Joyce Coven, and David Alexander; a host of other friends and relatives.

A public viewing will be held 9:00AM-1:00PM, Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the funeral home. A private service will be held. Interment: Lakewood Memory Gardens South, Rossville, GA.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.