Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75231.
LaVerne was born the youngest of five children on Oct. 6, 1928, in Wilson County to Henry Berry and Lillian Inez Jackson. While attending Southwest Texas State Teachers College, she met Ben Yandell, whom she married in Burnet on Feb. 17, 1948. They had three children. LaVerne loved tennis, swimming, water skiing, volleyball, bridge, dominoes, 42, and charades. She was an avid reader, followed news and sports with keen interest, and had an almost archival memory of family names and history.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Hazel Whitley, Polyanna Welch and Henry Jackson; and her husband, Truman Benjamin Yandell Sr.
Survivors: Sister, Nellene Pittman; son, Ben and spouse, Mary Yandell, of Louisville, Ky.; son, Mike and spouse, Glynda Yandell, of Fort Worth; daughter, Kerry Yandell Newberry and spouse, Mike Newberry, of Athens, Ga.; grandchildren, Christi, Justin, Jason, Erin, Jessica, Nick and Amanda; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Matthew, Caroline, Allison, Kate, Zac and Mia.
