Verna Tubbs

Verna Lee Tubbs, a beacon of love, dedication, and talents, left her earthly home in Southington, CT on August 3, 2026, to join her beloved husband Niel in eternal peace. Born to Arthur E. and Susan A. (Harris) Kindig in Juniata, NE, on March 13, 1926, Verna's life was a testament to a woman who lived fully, loved deeply, and left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her. As Maya Angelou once stated, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel," an adage that resonates profoundly with the memory of Verna.

Smart and driven, Verna graduated valedictorian from Roseland High School, attended Hastings College, setting out on a path of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity. She then achieved her BS and Masters Degree from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. She married Niel L. Tubbs in 1953, beginning a new chapter of life filled with family, travel and work. She was a dedicated teacher and homemaker, vocations she carried out with joy and pride. She was a lifetime member of the NEA, NSEA, BEA, PTA, Girl Scouts and Presbyterian Women, a 50 year member of the women teacher's Alpha Delta Kappa honorary sorority, and an enthusiastic member of the American Field Service, showcasing her commitment to her community and lifelong learning. Verna was a master at sewing and gardening; she counted reading, cooking, music, cheering for the Huskers and traveling as only some of her hobbies. She also worked diligently towards a just, humane and sustainable world.

In recognition of Verna and Niel's selfless contributions to their community, they were honored with the Good Neighbor Citation and the Heritage Preservation Award from AKSARBEN amongst many other local, state and national groups and awards. A devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in Beatrice, Verna served as a past Elder and was a dedicated Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and decisions, and providing consolation in times of sorrow.

Above all, Verna's greatest joy and accomplishments were her family. She is survived by her loving children, Cynthia (Tom) Berve, Patrice (Hardice) Jones, Craig (Laurie) Tubbs, and Laurel Tubbs; her beloved grandchildren Christopher (Kim), Daniel (Mary Eugenia), Brendan (Stephanie) Berve, Brittany (Mitchell) Jones, Devon, and Tia Jones, Brooke (Jake) Parkhouse, Zachary Tubbs; and great grandchildren Britton, Bellamy, Beckett, Gwendolyn, Evelyn, Olivia, Gabriel, Maya, Monte, Jaden & DaVari; as well as her dear nieces, Suzanne Beerthuis, Marita (Jim) Brown, and Myra Lee (Fred) Knez; and nephew James Kindig. She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law Winnie (Wallace) and Carl A. Tubbs; siblings, Louise (Ross) Roberts, Myra (Bob Landegren & Ken Perry) Perry, James (Pauline) Kindig, and Orville Kindig; nephews, Gerald Roberts and James Roberts; niece Joyce Fernandez; sisters-in-law Pauline Kindig, Joy Hoar; and her cherished husband, Niel Tubbs (2015).

Verna's life was a rich tapestry of love, resilience, and generosity. Her family will greet friends on Friday, August 21, 2026 from 6-7:30 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice, NE. A family prayer service will be held Saturday at 11:45 AM, and we invite friends and loved ones to join us as we celebrate her life on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Beatrice, Nebraska. The church will Livestream the service on their You Tube Page; Presby-Beatrice. Burial will be at the Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Lincoln, NE. A memorial has been established to the First Presbyterian Church, Beatrice for outreach funds and the Beatrice Educational Foundation.

As we gather to celebrate Verna's remarkable life, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos to her memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. In these shared stories and images, we find comfort, connection, and a reminder of the enduring impact of a life well-lived. Verna's legacy is not just in the past, but also in the lives she touched, the love she shared, and the memories that will continue to inspire us all.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.