LaVerne Helen (Heyne) Creech

LaVerne Helen Christine Heyne Creech passed away Oct 2, 2019, at her home in Nacogdoches, Texas. LaVerne was born Sept 19, 1917, on a farm near Scribner, Nebraska, the daughter of Nora and Gustav Heyne. She graduated from Scribner High School in 1935 and from Midand College in Fremont, Nebraska in 1939. After four years teaching in North Bend, Nebraska, she and her sister Ruth rented a convertible and moved to Denver, Colorado, where she taught school and her sister was a nurse. In Denver, she met Paul Creech who was a flight engineer instructor in the US Army Air Corps. LaVerne married Paul on Aug 4, 1945 in Hondo, Texas. Laverne traveled the world and considered herself a global citizen. In 1951, she and Paul moved to Nagpur, India where Paul was part of the great foreign aid movement of the Green Revolution of the 1950s. That was followed by a year in Burma (now Myanmar) and five years in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) before they returned in 1963 to Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, where Paul served as Assistant Director, and then Director of International Programs. LaVerne was a teacher for 28 years. She taught in North Bend, Nebraska, Denver, Colorado, Dacca American Society School (Bangladesh), Bridge City, TX, Bryan, TX, and retired from teaching at College Station, TX, in 1980. LaVerne is survived by her son, David Creech and his wife, Janet, and daughter Susan Orwig, and her husband, Chuck, of Houston, Texas, her nieces Barbara Gifford and Shirley Johnson, and nephew Ken Creighton. LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents Nora and Gustav Heyne, husband Paul, sister Ruth Creighton and brother Leonard Heyne. Laverne and Paul retired to Nacogdoches, TX in 1980. The family recognizes Sharon Standley for her companionship and the loving care she provided LaVerne for many years. In Nacogdoches, Texas, LaVerne was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Circle 2, Creative Reading Club, Spin Off Club, Retired Teachers, and a bridge group. In lieu of flowers, her wish was for donations to be made to the Nacogdoches Medical Treatment Center and the SFA Gardens. The family will receive friends, starting at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 9, 2019, First United Methodist Church, Nacogdoches, TX, with a service beginning at 11:00 AM. A reception and light refreshments will follow.