Valera "Lera" Parker Van Zant, 94, of Tifton died Friday, January 7, 2011, at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Ernest Harper will officiate with burial to follow in New Hope Cemetery in Ambrose. Lamar Harper, Paul Guthrie and Shawn Van Zant will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 9, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Ms. Van Zant was born on October 19, 1916 in Wray and was the daughter of Joseph Zenith Parker and Sylvania Jowers Parker, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Paul Broward Van Zant, Sr.; one son, Paul Broward Van Zant, Jr.; six brothers; and one sister. She was a homemaker, a poet and a songwriter and a member of Eastside Baptist Church.
Ms. Van Zant is survived by two sons, Roy Parker Van Zant of Tifton and Phillip Fletcher Van Zant of Jasper, Florida; and one grandchild, Shawn Van Zant.