Funeral services will be at noon today at Gadsden First United Methodist Church for Luverna McKenna Waid, 87, Gadsden, who died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. The Revs. Elton Beasley, Ken Casey and Roger Thompson will officiate. Burial will be in Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Collier-Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge.
A native of Waxahachie, Texas, she was a graduate of East Texas State Teachers College, and received a master's from the University of Alabama.
Mrs. Waid taught Spanish for 30 years in both public and private schools in Etowah County. She is remembered by her students as "Señora Waid," and she helped organize the first high school Spanish convention in Alabama. At one time she was called the "circuit riding" Spanish teacher because she taught in all of the high schools throughout the county. LuVerna instilled in her students a love of learning that extended beyond the classroom walls and worked tirelessly to provide educational and cultural opportunities and learning experiences. She was one of the founders of the Alabama Federation of Spanish Clubs, a statewide convention and competition, and was the first chair of the Alabama Foreign Language Institute. In 1993, she received the "Mildred Marona Outstanding Educator" award from the Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honor society of women educators. In 1995, she received the "Community Service Award" by the Etowah County Retired Teachers Association.
She was a dedicated member of the Gadsden Altrusa Club for 47 years, leading by example. She served as both vice-president and president and was chair or co-chair of each one of the club's standing committees. She was also former editor of the club newsletter and had served as Information Chair of District Four Altrusa. In 2004, she received Altrusa International Club's highest honor, the "Lifetime of Achievement Award." Her concern to improve literacy worldwide resulted in Altrusans and United Methodist Women donations for the first library in the Sarapiqui Rain Forest in Costa Rica. She led Altrusa-sponsored events for international students at Gadsden State Community College, including Altrusa's establishment of the International Student Emergency Trust Fund. She inspired her fellow Altrusa members in providing sewing supplies for women in Zimbabwe. She also inspired fellow Altrusans to donate school supplies for a federal prison, organized a book drive for an area suburb that had no library, as well as organized a book drive for patients of a local health care facility, resulting in a library on wheels that could be rolled into patient rooms.
She was a member and volunteer of the Etowah Chapter of the American Red Cross for over 25 years, serving on the board for 18 years. As a teacher, she sponsored Junior Red Cross clubs. She was instrumental in beginning a foster grandparents program, delivering magazines and visiting hospitals and nursing homes. She was an approved legal volunteer translator for the Department of Human Resources, serving Hispanic families in local hospitals.
She was past president of Gadsden Civitan Auxiliary, past president of Greater Gadsden League of Women Voters, and was past president of American Association of University Women. She was a founding member of the Friends of the Coosa River, and was active in the Etowah Historical Society, Gadsden Music Club, Gadsden Museum of Art, RSVP volunteer, Civitan Snellgrove Center and Willie Jo Estes Clearing House. She served on the Board of Governors of the Hollingsworth-Gunn-Bellenger House.
In 1991, she received the "Woman of the Year" award by Women's Health Plus of Gadsden Regional Medical Center. In 2001, LuVerna and her husband, Judge James B. Waid, were presented the "Alabama Golden Eagle Outstanding Senior Citizens of the Year" Award by the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, the first time this award was given to a husband and wife.
She was past Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution and in 2003, the James Gadsden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented her the first "Women in American History" award. She initiated the DAR's McKenna Fund, a fund used to defray expenses to the Continental Congress, a national meeting of the DAR.
Luverna was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church. She was the first female in 150 years to be elected superintendent of the Sunday School of First United Methodist. She was a member of the administrative board and the North Alabama Conference Historical Society, a former district officer of United Methodist Women, and a Sunday School teacher. She served for five years as editor of the church newsletter, and for many years served as mission study leader for United Methodist Women of the Gadsden District. One of First United Methodist Church's Women's Mission Circles is named the LuVerna Waid Circle in her honor.
LuVerna was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Judge James B. Waid.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan W. George (Jimmy); son, Gerald L. Waid (Grace); son, Walter J. Waid (Anita); son, Richard J. Waid (Cindy); grandchildren, Jessica A. George, Rebecca Ting Waid, James M. Waid, Hannah F. Waid, Luther Bing Waid, John H. Waid and Jing J. Waid; and various nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gadsden First United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers are Bob Blount, J.C. Bynum, Richard Carlson, Bob Crabtree, Rupert Frazier, E.L. Longshore, Kearn Marbut, Richard Moebes, Tom Parks, John Stam and David Thomas.
She unselfishly gave of her time and her efforts with her only goal being the welfare of others. She desired goodwill for all mankind, and her every action was an expression of that hope evidenced by the many encouraging cards and notes that she sent to others.
The family gives special thanks to her devoted caregiver, Marsha Chauvin, Dr. John Wilborn and Comfort Care Hospice.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon today at Gadsden First United Methodist Church.
Online condolences can be made at www.collier-butler.com
