Vera Jane Wheeler was born in Illinois on September 19, 1874. By 1894, she had moved to California where she married Thomas Jefferson Edwards, 13 years older than her and the son of former Missouri Governor, Missouri Supreme Court Justice, and Congressman John Cummins Edwards. They had one son, Darrell. At some point between 1900 and 1910, the couple divorced, possibly in Colorado. During this period, Vera begins traveling the west performing and directing local talent in her productions. Her performances are advertised in many states including Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Between 1918 and 1919, Vera worked in Frace at an American Red Cross hospital hut using her skills to cheer and comfort American soldiers on the Western Front where she was known as "Mother Edwards."

Following the Armistice, Vera returned to Colorado and homesteaded, earning patents for 640 acres south of Pueblo in 1924. In 1922, Vera married Frank Pease in La Junta, Colorado. In 1928, she ran for governor of Colorado on the Farmer-Labor Party ticket. In 1932, she ran for a seat in the Colorado senate on the Socialist Party ticket. Vera was an ardent supporter of old age assistance and social security, and for reform in the care of patients in mental institutions.

Between 1925 and 1932, Vera and Frank ran the Sage Brush Inn and Deaver Campground in Deaver, Wyoming. Vera was active in many clubs and organizations, often serving as an officer, as well as the Bishop for Wyoming of the Liberal Church. She was declared a heretic by the Liberal Church in 1930 for fostering the burning of Bibles by several Communists in the organization, who were themselves excommunicated. At some point before 1935, the couple moved to Denver, where Frank died and Vera officiated his funeral. Vera died in Oakland, California in 1935.