Elverda LaVerne Braxton-Thomas

Elverda LaVerne Braxton-Thomas was born January 4, 1953, at Burwell Private Hospital in Washington, DC to the late Alphonso J. Braxton and Bishop Verda B.P. Braxton. She was called home on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, quietly slipping away into the arms of our Lord and Savior. She is preceded in death by her brother Phanelson A. Braxton.

She met her late husband Timothy L. Thomas in Washington, DC and they married on March 31, 1973.

LaVerne was educated in the public schools of Washington, DC. Her higher education consisted of a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Management from Strayer University, Washington, DC. Master’s Degree in Public/Health Care Administration from Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland, and a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Howard University, Washington, DC.

LaVerne was converted and led to Christ under the leadership of her mother, Bishop Verda B.P. Braxton. In 2004, she was ordained as a minister in Phanelson Memorial True Church of God Apostolic in Washington, DC. She was later ordained to the office of Elder in 2006. In 2020 she was elected Overseer of all the True Churches of God Apostolic and served in that capacity until her passing.

LaVerne worked in different departments at Howard University Hospital from 1978 until her retirement in 2001. She was an Adjunct Professor of Health Services Administration in the Graduate Program at Strayer University. Most recently she was working has an Ombudsman for the Department of Family Service, Ombudsman Program, Prince George’s County. During her career she had many professional affiliations and accolades.

LaVerne was an established poet whose poems appeared in both national and international publications. One book of poetry is currently in the Library of Congress. She loved the Lord, her family and to travel. She especially enjoyed her trips to Russia and Alaska.

She leaves to mourn, one daughter, Yolanda V. Glover, one grandson Timothy L. Thomas, one sister-in-law, Eileen Webb-Braxton, one niece, Samantha Braxton, two nephews, Jamal Braxton and Sean Braxton, other relatives, friends, a special friend in Christ, Deaconess Deloris Galloway as well as her entire church family.