LaVerna I. SMITH

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - LaVerna I. Smith, nee Stafford, 88, the widow of Roy W. Smith and a former Poquoson resident, departed this life Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, in Jacksonville, Fla.
She was a native of St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minn. LaVerna grew up in Chicago, Ill., before moving with her husband and daughters to Michigan. She and Roy later moved to Virginia and resided in Poquoson for several years. After her husband's death, she returned to Michigan to be near her daughter, Carol and family. She had recently moved to Florida to be near her other daughter, Nancy and her family.
In earlier years, LaVerna worked at National Lumberman's Bank, Security First Bank, Brown Morris payroll department, and Howmet Credit Union. She enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling, and spending time with her family. When able, she attended the Central Assembly of God Church in Muskegon, Mich.
LaVerna was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Roy W. Smith; her father, Lavern Stafford; her mother, Lola Smith; her sisters, Charlotte Hammond and Jacqueline Fish; and son-in-law, W. Pelham (Pel) Phillips.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Nancy L. Phillips, and Carol A. Hughes and husband, Ronald; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, the Rev. Duane Hammond; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home, Poquoson. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home by the Rev. Milford C. Rollins. Inurnment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park, Hampton.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Online condolences to www.claytorrollins.com.
"Mom, we love you and will miss your beautiful smile and quick wit." View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.