Verlena Marie Saulter

Verlena Marie Saulter was born in Palestine, Texas, on July 10, 1958, to Versie Caine-Evans and Harrison Brisby. She was a proud graduate of Palestine High School and later moved to Houston to attend the University of Houston. On May 13, 2001, Verlena became a devoted member of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Lee Skinner.

Verlena worked for the Social Security Administration for over 35 years, where she received numerous awards recognizing her excellence, innovation, and leadership. She was honored with the Regional Deputy Commissioner’s Citation for her insight and assistance in the development of the “TSR Reading File and Information Workflow Project.” She also received the Deputy Commissioner’s Citation for her dedicated diligence during the Hurricane Katrina crisis, where she helped organize workloads transferred from New Orleans and provided invaluable service to those affected by the disaster.

Verlena’s remarkable work ethic, compassion, and commitment to helping others earned her deep respect among her colleagues and community. After 35 years of faithful service, she retired to care for her beloved son, Chuck, full-time. She cared for him with unwavering love and without complaint until his passing on November 26, 2019. Verlena then entered a new chapter in life—one that allowed her to rest, reflect, and live more freely, while forever holding her son close in her heart.

Verlena found joy in the simple things that made life beautiful. She loved DIY projects, spending time outdoors in her yard, baking, reading, hanging out with her close circle of friends, and cherishing every moment with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Versie Evans; her stepfather, Jim Evans Jr.; and her son, Charles Edward Saulter III (“Chuck”).

Verlena’s legacy of love continues through her devoted family: her daughter, Thewana Branch, and son-in-love, Kendrick Branch of Houston, TX; her daughter, Alexandria Saulter, and son-in-love, Isaiah Adams of Houston, TX; and her treasured grandchildren, Teagan “Sweet Potato” Branch and Kendrick “Little Mister” Branch II.

Verlena will be remembered for her boundless love, quiet strength, radiant spirit, and the joy she brought into the lives of everyone who knew her.

A visitation will be held for Verlena on October 11, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Paradise Funeral Home Chapel at 10401 W. Montgomery Rd. Houston Texas 77088. A celebration of life will immediately follow from 11:00 AM to 12: PM. The committal service will be private.