Vera Laverne (Pug) (Davis) Gowder

Vera Laverne "Pug" Davis Gowder, 93 of Gainesville was born September 28, 1927 in Hall County, Georgia and departed this life on January 29, 2021 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center from complications of COVID-19.

The soul of our beloved mother, grandmother and aunt was reunited with her family in heaven.  There to greet her were her parents, Mittie Gertrude Cato and Joseph Lee Davis.  She was the youngest of 11 children and was preceded in death by siblings and their spouses, Herschel (Bus) and Thelma Davis; Hugh Lee (Tooty) and Marylyn Davis; Lamar (Top) and Myrtle Davis; Cecil (Pick) and Joyce Davis; Lounette (Net) and Zeph Bridges; Leo (Jade) Messer; Flora Belle (Toad) Albertson; Birdeen (Tink) and Jim Hooper; Ettie Mae Huckaby; and Cluzelle (Cluz) and Russell (Base) Barber.  She was also predeceased by her husband, George Lee (Bud) Gowder in 1992 and her son-in-law, David Ray Shope, in 2008.   She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Survivors include one daughter, Vonda Lee Gowder Shope, one granddaughter, Amanda Leigh Shope Riley, a  very dear friend Suzanne (Susie) Ingle and beloved pet, Gracie.

Pug grew up in the Candler (Klondike) Community of Hall County, attended Candler School and graduated from Lyman Hall where she played basketball.  Pug's  first job was with Southern Bell  where she worked as an operator.  After that she went on to work at The Citizens Bank and Gainesville National Bank which was later known as First Atlanta and then Wachovia.  She worked in the banking industry for a number of years.  One of her major accomplishments in life was in 1956 she sold subscriptions for a local paper, by selling so many subscriptions to the paper she won a 1956 Chevrolet Belair.  Pug loved her sports and watching the Braves, Georgia Football and Nascar.  Pug was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class.

Pug never met a stranger, just a new friend.  She will surely be missed by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  She was a very loving and special grandmother.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday February 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Memorial Park Cemetery.  Rev. Bruce Fields and Rev. Bart McMillian will officiate.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic social distancing will need to be observed for everyone's health and safety and mask are recommended. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial contributions please be made to First Baptist Church Music Department, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, Georgia 30501; Eagle Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, Georgia 30502; or to ones favorite charity.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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