Vera Belle (Martin) De Mott

Vera Belle Martin De Mott, formerly executive secretary at Kansas City’s regional public relations office of General Motors, died Thursday, July 2, 2015.

She was born September 9, 1925 at Parsons, Kansas. She grew up in Kansas City and was a 1942 graduate of Manual High and Vocational School. In 1945, she was married to John De Mott. For 69 years Vera and John traveled the world together; visiting more than 45 foreign countries and living in places such as Kansas City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Memphis, Cario, Egypt, and the Sun Coast of Spain before finally retiring in Lawrence to be near family.

An honors graduate of Emporia State, Vera’s sense of adventure was not limited to travel. In addition to her work at General Motors, she taught court reporting and other business subjects at numerous universities, established a successful real estate business and once was a station manager for Western Union.

She was a member of the First Baptist church in Lawrence, and sang in its “Silvertones” choir.

A life-long Democrat and child of the Depression her worldly hero was Eleanor Roosevelt. Vera developed a keen sense of outrage for Injustice of any kind, especially when she believed someone was trying to take advantage of another person. She would not hesitate to write a letter to an editor to express her opinion.

She was preceded in death by her husband John. She is survived by her sister Betty Cobb, Baldwin City, KS.

A private graveside burial will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at the Union Cemetery in Douglas, County.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

2 Condolences

  1. Mary Gordon on July 6, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    Dear Betty,
    I was very sorry to read of Vera’s death. She was such a vivacious lady with a ready smile. I always admired her.

    Love,
    Mary Gordon



  2. Rick Nichols on July 25, 2015 at 7:39 am

    Betty – I got to know Vera through John, whom I knew through my father, Dick Nichols, late of The Kansas City Star. Sweet lady, and it was always so kind of her to bring both John and Stan Hamilton into the Brooksider on occasion for the weekly gatherings of ex-Star folks. She will be missed!



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