LaVerne Jennings Kebert

1932 - 2018

LaVerne Jennings Kebert

McComb - Ellen LaVerne Jennings Kebert, 86, of McComb, MS., passed away November 26, 2018 at her home with her husband at her side. Visitation will be Saturday December 1, 2018 from 1 PM until services at 3PM at the Centenary United Methodist Church of McComb at 500 Delaware Ave., Dr. Jim Porter will officiate. Born April 8, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida to Raymond R. Jennings and Leah Prescott Jennings. She was raised in the Dinsmore community of Jacksonville and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School. She earned her bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 1954, where she was a member of the Mortar Board academic honor society. She majored in dietetics and after graduation interned at hospitals in New York City and Houston, Texas. While attending FSU, she happened to meet a young Air Force officer stationed at Bainbridge Air Force base, Dean Kebert. Dean and LaVerne married in 1955 and spent the next 63 years together. After their wedding, they moved to Columbia, Missouri where Dean earned a masters in geology and LaVerne became a Registered Dietitian. Dean joined Standard Oil of California (now Chevron) and LaVerne began her career at the Veteran's Administration Hospital. They first moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 1956, where the next year their son Kent was born, were transferred to New Orleans, where daughter Amy was born, then moved back to Jackson, and welcomed daughter Kay. While raising her family in Jackson, LaVerne was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, the Methodist Women, and Petrol, the Oil Industry Women's Auxiliary. LaVerne retired from the V.A. and she and Dean built retirement homes in McComb, Mississippi and Highlands, North Carolina. In her retirement, she delighted in spoiling her six grandchildren. LaVerne was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in McComb. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Raymond T. Jennings. She is survived by her husband Dean, son Kent Kebert (Lynn), daughters Amy Kebert Elder (Larry Marble) and Kay Kebert Craig (Thomas), grandchildren Alan Kebert (Shawna), Karen Kebert, (Akram), Laura Kebert, Meridith Elder, Samuel Craig and Leah Grace Craig, and her brother Don Jennings (Lelia). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Centenary UMC or charity of your choice.