Vera Calvin Former Burleson Mayor Passes Away

Sadly, the City of Burleson has lost one of our most beloved Mayors.

As many know, Vera Calvin is whom the city chose to name the new plaza after. Vera Calvin’s contribution to the city goes well beyond having just a plaza named after her.

Mrs. Calvin moved to Burleson in 1957 with her husband and two daughters. The family immediately became active in the schools, the community, and the First United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Calvin was an honor student at Terrell High School, received an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Tarrant County Junior College in 1974, and earned a BS in Health Care Administration from East Texas State University in 1984. She worked as a registered nurse at the Fort Worth State School from 1976 until 1993.

Mrs. Calvin was elected to the City Council four times for two-year terms and once for one year. In 1988 Mayor Boone resigned and Mrs. Calvin was sworn in as mayor. Mrs. Calvin was elected mayor in 1989 for a one-year term and in 1990 for a two-year term. As of 2012 she is the only woman to serve as mayor of Burleson.

Mayor Calvin never made campaign promises except to say that she would serve to the best of her ability. She based her decisions on what she thought was best for the citizens. While serving Burleson as a councilmember and mayor, she was involved in the Comprehensive 20/20 Plan, purchase of the interurban building for a museum and visitor center, recycling center, D.A.R.E. program (👍), and a separate building for the police department and other projects.

Visitation for Vera Calvin

All are invited to the visitation at Mountain Valley Funeral Home in Joshua on Monday, February 21 from 6-8pm.

Mayor Vera Calvin Funeral Details

Tue, February 22nd, 10am – 11am

First United Methodist Church:

590 NE Mcalister Rd, Burleson, TX 76028

(please share so that others are aware of Vera Calvin’s funeral arrangements)

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Also from the Athena Society:

Vera Calvin, husband Stacy, and their two daughters moved to Burleson in 1957. She grew up in Terrell, Texas and they lived in Corsicana, Texas for six years. They both became involved in community, school, church and county activities. Vera worked in a variety of jobs so she could be involved in her daughters’ activities as they grew up and attended school,

Her husband knew how she always dreamed of a college education and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Vera earned her Licensed Vocational Nurse Certification from Johnson County Hospital in 1967 and later an Associate Degree in Nursing from Tarrant County Junior College in 1974. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

She was employed by Fort Worth State School from 1976 until 1993 for a total of almost 18 years. She took classes from East Texas State University while working full time and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration in 1984 with a GPA of 3.28. She was a grandmother of four when she fulfilled her dream.

Vera served on Burleson City Council 1980-1984 and 1987-1992. She was the second woman elected to the council and was the only woman for seven of the nine years she served. So far, she is the only woman mayor in the history of Burleson. The City Council honored her by naming “Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza” in August 2013. It was officially dedicated in April 2014 near City Hall and Museum/Visitor’s Center.

Other services included Johnson County Child Protective Board for two terms including being Chairman and Legislative Liaison. She served on NTCOG on Health & Human Services and Drug Abuse Board. She was named Johnson County Precinct 2 Justice of Peace 1995-1996.

She is a life-time member of Burleson Chamber of Commerce, was Director for two terms, and was Citizen of the Year in 1993. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church, Burleson Historic Society, Eumathian Club and Athena Society of Burleson. She has received many awards and honors from other organizations.

She has been a widow since 1993 after being married over 46 years. She has one living daughter, Carol, who lives in Joshua. Her youngest daughter, Lynn Clopton, passed away in 2002. She has three grandsons, one granddaughter, one great-grandson, and five great-granddaughters. She moved to Fort Worth in August 2014 but still does most of her business in Burleson. She is now President of the All-Resident Council at Brookdale Broadway Cityview Senior Living Community.

While serving Burleson as a council member and mayor, she was involved in the Comprehensive 20/20 Plan, purchase of the interurban building for a museum and visitor center, recycling center, D.A.R.E. program, and a separate building for the police department and other projects.

“In 1980 someone said we needed a woman to serve on the council, so I said OK, and it was a great decision on my part,” she said.

Mayor Vera Calvin Funeral Details

Tue, February 22nd, 10am – 11am

First United Methodist Church:

590 NE Mcalister Rd, Burleson, TX 76028

(please share so that others are aware of Vera Calvin’s funeral arrangements)

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