Erma Vernel Boston

Erma Vernel (Nellie) Garland was born in Tolleburg, Colorado, on January 20, 1925, to Elmira (Almaran) Durden Garland and Addison Garland. She heard the call of the Lord and departed this life on February 12, 2025, at the age of 100 years, 21 days. She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband, Hughes (Boston) Boston, her siblings, Emma Jensen, Melvin garland, and Calvin Garland, one son, Russell F. Johnson Jr., and two daughters, Roverta L. Butts and Beverly J. Johnson. 

Erma moved to Iowa when she was three years old, and was educated in the Des Moines Independent school system. 

She and her husband, Boston, worked together to achieve a comfortable life and were co-owners of Boston's Clean Car Service. In addition, they owned a daycare and were foster parents. 

A hard worker, over the years Erma worked as a domestic, at the Des Moines Ordinance Plant, The Bag Factory, Western Tool, and as an Avon representative where she received several awards for her sales efforts. While working for the Des Moines Mid-City Library, before her retirement, she initiated the Ice Cream Social and the Friends of the Mid-City Library. 

A compassionate person, Erma truly loved her family. She spent years providing a comfortable home for her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives. 

She was known for helping those in need with a comfortable place to stay, food, advice and also finances. 

Well known for her sense of humor, generosity, and genuine spirit of hospitality, Erma was also recognized for her exceptional cooking skills, especially her carrot cake and oatmeal patties. 

Her hobbies were cooking, traveling with family, upholstering, interior decorating, fishing, playing cards and the dominoes game "Chicken Feet" , and entertaining family and friends. 

A long-time member of the Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church, she was a diligent worker in the Church Finance Department and as an AY Youth Leader.

Having lived her life to the fullest, Erma leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Rosalie E. Davis and Billie M. Jackson, and one son, Doran D. Thomas of Des Moines, Iowa; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, sixteen great-great-grandchildren, a devoted and caring great-granddaughter, Breonna Oakley Jackson, a compassionate and loyal friend, Mrs. Eleanor Turnbull and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family members.

A public visitation will be held at the Des Moines Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church (1639 Garfield Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316) on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.