Houston Chronicle, August 7, 2006:

Vera H. Carhart, was born September 5, 1928 in Foster, Fort Bend County, Texas to William Hartlage and Ivy Mae Ferguson Hartlage. She passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at the age of 77.

Vera was a lifelong Republican and avid political activist. She was a past president of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, and worked in numerous federal, state, and local campaigns, most notably those of John Tower, George H.W. Bush, Kay Bailey Hutchison, John Culberson, and Bill Archer, for whom she was campaign manager and longtime office volunteer. She was a member of the Spring Branch Republican Women's Club, Memorial West Republican Women's Club, and, for the last 25 years, the Village Republican Women's Club. She was also active in numerous other civic and artistic organizations.

Vera is survived by her son, John William Carhart and his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Melissa Carhart Lanier; grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Carhart, Laura Catherine Carhart, Mackenzie Elizabeth Carhart, Adam Everest Lanier, and Thomas Carhart Lanier. She is also survived by her brother, William Hartlage, Jr.; her brother-in-law, Tom Carhart and his wife, Betty; very dear friends, Don and Julia Carlson; and many other loving relatives and friends. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her longtime neighbors and friends, Jo and Bill Laub, Pat and George King, Merle Carlson, and Mary Karges for their loving care and support over the years.

A memorial service celebrating Vera's life will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, in the chapel of Waltrip Funeral Directors, with The Rev. Jim Nelson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Vera's name to the TFRW Scholarship Fund, c/o Texas Federation of Republican Women, 900 Congress Ave. Suite 300, Austin, TX 78701; or to a charity of your choice.