Vera Mae Haney Sluder
July 28, 1925 ~ February 13, 2023
Born in:
Buncombe Co., NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Vera Mae Haney Sluder Lt.Col. USAF Retired, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023.
She was born July 28, 1925 to the late William Troy and Nettie Haney. She was a graduate of French Broad High School and Spartanburg General Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1950. She was employed by St. Joseph’s Hospital for 7 years prior to entering the United States Air Force Nurse Corp., where she remained for twenty years serving tours in Japan and Germany.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Philip and Furman Haney, and one sister, Erma Pettit. She is survived by a nephew, Roger Pettit and a niece, Cynthia Haney.
Throughout her life, Vera was an animal lover, contributing many times to shelters for dogs and cats. She always had a black or brown Dachshund dog to love and spoil at home.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. No service is planned.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Vera will be missed so much. I loved her dearly. She was a wonderful friend!
What an amazing woman Vera was. In the short time I knew her, she became special to my heart. Obviously a strong woman and wonderful nurse. A lady ahead of her time. Rest in peace dear lady.
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Vera Sluder was a long-time member of the Society of Air Force Nurses (SAFN). We will remember Lt Col Sluder in our upcoming Rendezvous Newsletter and her name will be spoken at a special candlelight memorial for our members who have passed and will do so at our next national meeting in Albuquerque NM. Condolences to her friends. May she Rest in Peace knowing she served her Nation and community with distinction and honor.
Family,, so sorry for your loss. I am proud of my fellow Air Force nurses that have gone before me.
Vera’s service will be a legacy for those in the future.
Sharon Rhoton LtCol USAFNC retired
On behalf of the Society of Air Force Nurses, please know we are mourning with you the death of our friend and colleague, retired Lieutenant Colonel Vera Sluder. She was a remarkable woman who made such a difference in the lives of others as she made her own journey through life. Vera was a Lifetime Member of our Society, and we will be making a donation in her memory and honor to the Military Women’s Memorial which stands at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of her service to our great nation. She will be missed by many, and Vera will not be forgotten by the community of Air Force nurses.
Linda J. Stierle, Brigadier General, United States Air Force (Retired)
Love, Cindy Radcliff Faulkner
My mom, Vera Mason Smith, grew up on the same road in Alexander as your Vera and she was a good friend to you mom and family. I grew up on the same road as the Haneys and knew them well.
I was an Airman First Class when then Major Vera Sluder became my second Air Force Chief Nurse at (CCK) Ching Chuan Kang AFB, Taiwan, ROC. I will always remember her for her kindness and leadership skills. It was a pleasure to have served with Vera Sluder, Lt Col, USAF NC. We briefly talked and corresponded with on another for about a year before her passing. I had no idea that she would remember serving with a lower ranking Airman from 1974-1975, but she did. Since her passing. my niece, Adrianne Rhyne Cornett has shared what a pleasure it had been to be one of Vera’s nurses during her illness. She touched many lives and left the world a better place.
Though I never met her, the heartwarming words of those who knew her bring a smile. May your memories always bring smiles to your faces!
Ann Burns, RN, USAF (ret)
SAFN NC Chapter Coordinator