Vera Brann of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the age of 80. She was born August 14, 1944, in Newport, the daughter of Elvis W. and Cloice Burgin Shelby.
Vera graduated from Grubbs High School and went on to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She served as the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the North Branch office of Merchants & Planters Bank for several years. Later, Vera worked as the County Clerk for Jackson County and also as the Court Clerk for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
She loved to travel and visit new places. A very active person, she loved walking and staying fit. Vera was talented at decorating and interior design, and enjoyed working in her yard. She was a huge fan of playing Mah Jong and shopping. Most importantly, Vera’s greatest joy came from spending time with her family.
She was a longtime member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ.
Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lynn Brann; and her parents.
She is survived by three brothers, John “Butch” Shelby and wife Nina, of Pennington, Jerry Shelby of Newport, and Charles Shelby and wife, Donna, of Jonesboro; and two sisters, Hazel Keller of Jonesboro, and Emma Lee McCartney and husband, Billy of Bossier City, Louisiana. Also surviving are her nieces and nephews, Susan Johnson and husband, Lenny, Angie Carlton and husband, Barry, Megan Bilon and husband, Wes, Leann Sabala and husband, Eric, Burgin Green and husband, Jake, Heath Shelby, Brandon McCartney, Blake McCartney and wife, Amy, and Craig Keller; many great-nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, July 17, from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Funeral services will follow on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel, with interment at Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are John Gay, Wes Bilon, Brandon McCartney, Blake McCartney, Heath Shelby, and Barry Carlton. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Heatherly, John Conner, Lenny Johnson, and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department employees.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
