Laverne L. Graham

La Verne L Graham, “NeNe”, passed away at the age of 87 in Pasadena, TX on July 10, 2013. NeNe was born in Ellinger,Texas on September 8, 1925. NeNe and Pepaw bought Skull Creek Lodge in Altair, Texas in March 1972 when Mano was 15 years old. Skull Creek Lodge was a 40 room motel, 12 lane bowling alley, restaurant, and bar.

They retired in 1990 and moved to Pasadena, Texas to be with family, only to discover Mano had purchased the pro shop at Armadillo Lanes in Pasadena and once again NeNe was back at work for the next 19 years until the day she had her stroke that paralyzed her on the left side.

On a personal note, NeNe was an avid dog person. Her puppies were as much a part of her life in their own way as her family members. If you knew NeNe, you would know that all her puppies were special to her. She was also a big “Houston” sports fan. She loved her Rockets, Astros, and Texans.

LaVerne is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert C Graham, and her brother Harry Barten.

She is survived by one brother, Ruben Barten and wife Lee, her daughter, Pat Wood, her son, Mano Graham and wife Kathy, grandson, Jeff Wood and wife Donna, granddaughter, Shiela Chamberlain and husband Scott, and 3 great grandchildren, Jeffery Wood, McKayla and Connor Chamberlain and other family and friends.

Visitation will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 16, 2013 with a funeral service to begin at 3:00 pm, at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Interment to follow.