Wife, mother, avid Tripoli player

Verma W. Vines, a longtime Claremont resident, died peacefully on the morning of December 29, 2012. She had recently celebrated her 89th birthday. 

Mrs. Vines was born in Simpson County, Mississippi on December 17, 1923. She graduated from Tougaloo College in 1949 and married Benjamin G. Vines, MD in 1952. The couple moved to the Pomona/Claremont area with their young family in 1958.

While Dr. Vines tended to his medical practice, first located on Seventh Street in downtown Claremont and then in Montclair, Mrs. Vines cared for their home and 2 daughters, Sharon and Dara. Mrs. Vines was a devoted mother with a particular fondness for children. She studied child development for a time at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena and volunteered with disabled children at a local elementary school as well as at the Pomona Planned Parenthood office.

An avid Tripoli player, Mrs. Vines was also a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Carousels and the Claremont Links. She resided on Eleventh Street in Claremont for 40 years before moving to Santa Monica for health reasons and to be closer to her daughters. For the past 8 years, she resided at Sunrise Assisted Living in Santa Monica, where she was loved by residents and by staff members.

Mrs. Vines will be fondly remembered for her sweet and nurturing spirit, quiet elegance and playful sense of humor, according to family.

Mrs. Vines is survived by her daughters, Sharon and Dara Vines of Los Angeles; by her brother, James Weathersby of Mississippi; by 7 paternal siblings and by numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.

A private memorial service will be held in Santa Monica on Saturday, January 5 at 1 p.m. For information, call (310) 945-6522. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Condolences for the family may be sent to 8306 Wilshire Blvd, #1917, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.