Laverne White

A viewing will be held from 1:00-2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, immediately followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Farmerville, La. Burial will follow at Enterprise Cemetery near Farmerville at 3:00 pm.

Laverne A. White, Fayetteville, Arkansas, died at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Friday, August 22. 2025. She was born December 23, 1936, in Union Parish, Louisiana, to Lavelle and Mary Belle (Feazel) Albritton. She was married to L. Vernon White, on August 27, 1955.

Laverne and Vernon moved immediately after their wedding to Madison, WI. While Vernon earned his PhD from the University of Wisconsin, Laverne always shared that she earned her "PhT" (put hubby through) by financially supporting the newlyweds during this time. Laverne followed Vernon throughout his career, supporting him as his helpmate and best friend while always creating her own career and serving those around her. She enjoyed being a folk artist, specializing in dried flower arrangements, which helped 3 sons through college. Laverne loved working as the Director of Women's Ministries at Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette, IN and her greatest joy was serving as the director of a pregnancy support center in Valdosta, GA. In total, they lived in Madison, WI; Las Cruces, NM; Modesto, CA; Park Ridge, NJ; Atlanta, GA; West Lafayette, IN and Valdosta, GA before settling in Hot Springs Village, AR.

A devout follower of Christ, Laverne served in many volunteer roles in and out of the church. Her greatest spiritual gift was hospitality as no one was ever turned away when they knocked on the White family's door. Laverne was at her best when cooking for and entertaining others, whether there were 2 or 200 present. The most notable example was during their time in West Lafayette, IN creating the Grindstone Lodge in nearby rural Fountain County. Laverne was instrumental in building the lodge with friends and making it available to church groups and families in need of a quiet retreat: no TV, phones, or internet.

Once settled in Hot Springs Village, AR, Laverne and Vern enjoyed entertaining their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other guests, especially by driving the boat around the lake.

She is preceded in death by her husband Vernon; her parents; her brothers M.L. "Boots", Morris, Winston Lavelle "Dub", George, and Gary; her sisters Devonne Vestal, Mariete Nale, and Mae Bardin; and grandson Ross.

She is survived by her sons Gerald (Barbara), Mark (ex-wife Julie), and John (Tiffany); grandchildren Corbit (Kelli Anne), Spencer (Jennifer), Zachary, and Ehren; 5 great grandchildren Corbit Louis, Olivia, Helen, Teddy, and Indy; one brother-in-law Billy Ray; and two sisters-in-law Dixie and Mary Ellen; many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and great nephews and great-great nieces and great-great nephews.