Vera Simms Stepp, age 80, a native of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Trinity Glen in Winston-Salem.

Vera was born on October 31, 1945, a proud Halloween baby, to Nathan H. and Rosebud J. Simms, the third of four children and the oldest daughter. She was educated at Diggs Elementary School, where her mother worked, and was a graduate of the former Anderson High School in Winston-Salem. She graduated from Winston-Salem State University in 1967 with degrees in education and business.

She started her career as a business education teacher at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem, part of the early group of teachers who helped desegregate Winston-Salem/Forsyth Public Schools and also held teaching positions at other high schools in the district. After 14 years in the public school system, Vera transitioned to work at her alma mater, Winston-Salem State University, helping to start up the university’s medical technology program and its transformation to digital student registration and enrollment. She retired from Winston-Salem State in 2007, after 38 years with the state of North Carolina.

Vera met the love of her life, Henry E. Stepp, Sr., also of Winston-Salem, as teenagers, and they married in 1967. Theirs was a lifelong love affair that produced three children: daughter, Angela Stepp Drewry of Winston-Salem and the twins, Henry E. Stepp, II of Charlotte and Holly E. Stepp of Raleigh. She was a doting grandmother to Danielle Spence and William Eric Spence, II of Winston-Salem.

A lifelong member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, Vera served as a deaconess, participated in the Sunday School, the church’s Inspirational Choir, helped operate its fellowship hall, and coordinated weddings held at the church. Her volunteer activities included Friends of O’Kelly Library, National Women of Achievement, Outreach Alliance for Babies, and Jack and Jill of America Inc.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 40 years, Henry E. Stepp, Sr.; her parents, Nathan H. and Rosebud J. Simms; and her older brothers, Nathan F. Simms, Jr. and Jacob E. Simms.

She is survived by her children, daughter, Angela Drewry (Willie); son, Henry (Hillary), and daughter, Holly; sister, Karen Simms Tolson (Gerald); grandchildren, Danielle Spence and William Eric Spence, II; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30pm Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. officiating. The family visitation will be held from 1:00pm until 1:30pm on Wednesday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Vera’s memory to: Friends of Oddfellows Cemetery — Post Office Box 20033, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or Mount Zion Baptist Church R.L. File Scholarship Fund — 950 File Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

The family extends its sincere gratitude to the team at Trinity Glen and several wonderful caregivers for the compassion and kindness shown to Vera.