Alice Laverne Gilbreath

Alice Laverne was born October 3, 1930, at Foreman, Arkansas, to John and Jessie Pond. She was one of twelve children. She had three brothers, Jim, William and J.B. She had eight sisters, Bertie, Mary, Zelma, Dora, Jessie Mae, Oleta Faye, Ann and Eyvonne.

Laverne attended grade school at Miller Community. She graduated at Foreman High School at the age of sixteen and a year later married Roy Ishmel Reed. Her two sons, David Michael and Jonathan Eugene were born. Later she met and married her soul mate Walker Dayton Gilbreath in 1970. She became a step-mother to Jim, David and Shirley and later a step grandmother to Naomi, Justin, Travis, Sherry and Reina. Dayton and Laverne accepted Rhonda as their goddaughter during their life together. They retired from Tinker Air Force Base, where Laverne had worked as a secretary, in 1974 and moved to their lake home in Eufaula. They lived in the Eufaula area until his death in 1998. Laverne moved into the home of her niece Lucresha and Jason Baxter with their son, Brody and daughter Peyton at Bixby in 2012 and then to the Eufaula Manor Nursing Home.

At the age of 10 Laverne accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior. She became a member of the Deliverance Temple Church in Oklahoma City. Later in life she became a member of Lighthouse Christian Center of Eufaula in 1984. Laverne traveled and ministered in several churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and California. She also ministered in several nursing homes and stayed active until her death. She was a caregiver and loved people. She loved gospel singing and recorded her first record in 1978. She also recorded a CD in 2007. She was a regular singer at the Plumb Theater for the Friday Night Gospel Program for many years. She wrote poetry and won several awards. In 2010, she published a book of poetry, "Inspiration From Above."

Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters, her two sons, David & Jonathan; her step-sons, Jim and David; her beloved husband, Dayton. She is survived by her family of the home, Jason and Lucresha, Brody and Peyton; her God daughter, Rhonda and husband Mark McAlester of Norman, Oklahoma; step-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.

Services will be held at the Lighthouse Christian Center at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2025 with Reverend John Parish officiating. Burial will be in Arkansas at her family plot at the Camp Ground Cemetery near Foreman.