Verdia was born on September 11, 1928, to Ludia Beavers and Dee Griffen in Calvert, Texas. However, because her birth certificate was filed the next day, her official birthdate is September 12, 1928. This was always amusing to her, and she happily celebrated both
September 11th and 12th. Verdia, the oldest of four children had two sisters, Frances (who preceded her in death) and Cherry Jo, and one brother, Don Robert.
Verdia graduated from WD Spigner High School in Calvert, Texas in 1945 and attended Prairie View A&M University for a short time following high school. She later enrolled at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas and earned a B.S. degree in Social Work. Verdia eventually returned to Texas Southern where she earned her Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance. As a certified Counselor, Verdia was a part of the first group of counselors hired by the Houston Independent School District when the District strategically placed counselors on elementary school campuses. This was a job she loved as she worked on many elementary campuses during her more than 40 years as a counselor. She retired in the mid -1980's to take care of her mother who lived with her until Mrs. Ross transitioned in 2001.
Although she settled in Houston, Texas, Verdia's heart always belonged to Kansas City, Missouri and she looked forward to summers and Christmas Holidays in her beloved city. This gave her a chance to spend quality times with her KC family.
Verdia faced many challenges in her life which included the death of her only child, Larry Dee in 1994. But, she met her challenges with courage and a determination to continue moving forward and to complete the work God commissioned her to do. She was an active member of Augustana Lutheran Church until her health resulted in her living the last six years of her life in various Assisted Living Communities. She lived for four happy and active years at Hampton Meadows Place in Meadows Place, Texas, before she was hospitalized in June of 2018.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her sister and caregiver, Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden of Houston, Texas, a brother Donald Ross (Ola) of Grandview, Missouri, loving cousins, and a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews, her BFF, Mrs. Bea Green, and many other wonderful friends.
A Memorial Service celebrating a life well lived will be held at Mt. Moriah Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 2:00 PM.
