Vera Lee Bacon Gilmer Johnson was born on September 7, 1928, in Gracey, KY to the late Especulia Russell Bacon and George Townsend Bacon. She departed her earthly life on October 21, 2025, at 10:20 AM in the care of Christian Health Center.
Vera graduated from Gracey Public School and Attucks High School, completed courses at Murray State in child development, and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Kentucky State University. Vera was among the first group of teachers to teach Head Start for six weeks during the summer months before Head Start was incorporated in the county’s school curriculum. At the time of her passing, she was the last African American Christian County public school teacher who taught during the era of segregated schools. Her 31 ½ year elementary school teaching career was at Booker T. Washington. She retired in 1988. After teaching adult education and GED courses part-time, her teaching career spanned nearly 40 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Otis Daniel (“OD”) Gilmer and James Johnson, son Veotis Bacon Gilmer, sisters Liddie Bacon Manning and Esther Bacon Whitlock, and nieces Shirley Bacon Nwangwa and Jackie Bacon Coleman.
Surviving this woman of faith are her children Oliver Kendall (Joyce) Gilmer (Henderson, KY), Francene Gilmer (Hopkinsville), and Rory (Pat) Gilmer (Nashville); step children Beverly Johnson Watkins (Hopkinsville) and Ronald (Kathy) Johnson (Hopkinsville); grandchildren Nekesha (David) Cozart (Lexington), Brittany Gilmer Tuoyo (Lexington), Rory Gilmer II (Nashville), and Fredericka Leavell (Hopkinsville); great grandchildren Destiny Cozart, Dalen Cozart, Zay’Kwan Tuoyo, Tanner Leavell, Jr. (“TJ”), and Trent Leavell; nieces Vicki Bailey and Zonetta Easterly English; nephew Zachary Easterly; friends who are as close as family Gwenda Motley and Christina Leath; and a host of other family, especially great nephew Nicholas (“Nick”) Burnette, friends, and acquaintances in her circle of love and care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Christian County Literacy Council, P.O. Box 4048, Hopkinsville, KY 42241.
Services
Visitation
Monday, October 27, 2025
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
VIRGINIA STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
209 S VIRGINIA STREET
HOPKINSVILLE, KY 42240
BURIAL AT GREEN HILLS MEMORIAL GARDENS
Funeral Service
Monday, October 27, 2025
12:00 PM
VIRGINIA STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
209 S VIRGINIA STREET
HOPKINSVILLE, KY 42240
BURIAL AT GREEN HILLS MEMORIAL GARDENS
