Vera Lucille Fleetwood

Vera Lucille Fleetwood, 83, of Indianapolis, entered into eternal rest on May 14, 2023. She was born on December 27, 1939 to the late Ernest and Mary Brinson. Vera Brinson met Dale Fleetwood nearly seventy years ago in the farmlands of Northern Indiana. Not to be trusted alone, the dates of this mischievous couple were often chaperoned by Vera’s little brother, Jim, who watched the two fall in love. Since then, Vera and Dale have been the quintessential couple. They never argued and they were always there for each other. Their photo albums are littered with pictures of the two smiling, laughing, and hugging one another. They loved to travel together—to places like Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, and countless other national parks and natural wonders. The two built a beautiful family together. They had two daughters, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren (and counting). She was also “Grandma” to countless bonus grandchildren, who were not related to her in the traditional sense, but still treated as part of her family. A true matriarch, she took an active role all their lives. Vera cared for this ever-growing family with tenderness and investment. She treated them as best friends - mentoring, supporting, and treating each of them as special. Just about all Fleetwood family memories trace a thread back to Vera. She was a reliable planner and always impeccably prepared. She took pride in creating experiences for the whole family. It was her greatest pleasure to host Sunday dinners and watch the growing family gather, socialize, and play in her backyard. Tireless in the kitchen, she often wouldn’t sit down and rest until everyone else had been served. A consummate entertainer, Vera enjoyed creating games and leading activities on all holidays and special occasions. Activities, card games, and crafts were a central feature at her gatherings, and she is most famous for inaugurating “The Orange Bowl” competition during the family New Year’s Eve parties. Vera took pride in everything she did. She was energetic, tireless, and a hard worker. Her professional life boasted multiple careers, and she excelled in all of them. She was a librarian and a secretary. With her husband, she owned and operated her own typesetting company, “Just Your Type,” in downtown Indianapolis. She worked in the Marion County Treasurer’s office for many years. After she retired from that job, she kept on working, selling thrifted wares and crafts at Emporium 40 Flea Market. A loyal companion, Vera was a lifelong confidant to Joyce Harris for almost sixty years. Few maintain a friendship like theirs. For fun, the two loved to spend hours together in clothing stores. Once their tastes for browsing were satisfied, they’d nurse a “senior coke” together and chat the hours away at McDonald’s. Vera’s personality was infectious. She was eternally curious. She was relentlessly upbeat and kind to everyone. She had a timeless and classic beauty. She habitually dressed her best, with turtlenecks, blazers, blouses, and slacks, with an updo that she invented and maintained for over seventy years. When she thought deeply, she’d bite her thumb. When an idea struck, her eyes would glint with a twinkle. She was regal, tough, but also silly and enjoyed laughing. She was faithful, generous, and a beacon of unconditional love. She was Vera Lucille Fleetwood, and she will be missed very much. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Maxine McElroy. She is survived by her husband, Dale Fleetwood; daughters, Suzanne Fleetwood-Taylor and Debra Fleetwood-Fleming; grandchildren, Daniel Fleming, Amanda Taylor McMahan, Amber Fleming Mattingly, Joshua Fleming, and Jessica Fleming; great grandchildren, Lilianna Fleming, Mercedez Fleming, Gabriel Mattingly, Alan Mulcahy, Tristian Fleming, Emily Fleming, Serenity Mulcahy; brother, James Brinson; and her dearest friend, Joyce Harris. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM with the Funeral Service to follow at 1:00 PM at Little & Sons Funeral Home – Beech Grove, 1301 Main St., Beech Grove, IN 46107. Burial will be held in Springhill Cemetery in Berne, IN on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Indianapolis First Church of the Nazarene, 9401 E. 25th St., Indianapolis, IN 46229. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.littleandsonsbeechgrove.com for the Fleetwood family.