Catherine LaVerne Melbert

Catherine LaVerne Walden Melbert was born in Crockett, Texas in 1922 to Thomas Eugene Walden and Nashie Belle Wills Walden. She graduated from Crockett High School in 1939 and attended Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas from 1939-1943 and earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts in music. LaVerne received honors as President of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority, was Miss Southwestern 1943, Rainbow Queen 1943, Tri-Delta Beauty 1942 & 1943 and was listed in Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities 1943. She married James S. Melbert on June 25, 1944. LaVerne began her long and successful career as the Band Director and Music teacher 1943-1946 in Bay City, Texas and continued through as Elementary Music teacher in Lake Jackson for 22 years in Angleton, Texas and Second Grade teacher in Angleton and Houston for 5 years. She continued her love of sharing music as Choir Director with First Methodist Churches in Bay City, Lake Jackson and Angleton as well at Choir Director at Southwest Bible Church in Houston and Children’s leader for BSF in Southwest Houston. LaVerne also won the Undiscovered Voice of America contest for the Phil Spitalny All Girl Orchestra. She sang in concerts in Mexico, solos for the San Antonio Order of Eastern Star, the national convention of the ADK honorary teacher’s sorority and was in demand to sing at weddings and special events all over the state. LaVerne is survived by her two children, Kathryn Ruth Tarsney and James Bruce Melbert, four grandchildren, Miles Walden Melbert, Jacqueline OBrien King, James Arthur Tarsney and Catherine Dee Theiss, 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She lived with her husband, James S. Melbert for the last 11 years with her daughter and son-in-law in Kingwood, Texas. Her dear husband Jimmy, preceded her in death in May 2015. They were married 71 years at the time of his passing.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Kingwood Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the Chapel of the funeral home. Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas.