LaVerne Norton Stokes

LaVerne Norton Stokes, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great‑grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Georgia. She was born on September 16, 1939, in Byron, Georgia, to her devoted parents, Oliver Dock Norton and Ella Mildred Molton, who instilled in her the values of faith, family, and service that shaped her life. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, May 14th, at Liberty Church, 6511 Houston Road, Macon 31216 with Dr. Laudis H. "Rick" Lanford and Dr. Will Farrington officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 Noon until service time. Burial will be in Avondale Baptist Church Cemetery.

LaVerne shared 52 beautiful years of marriage with her husband, John Ervin Stokes, a partnership marked by unwavering love, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to their family and community. Together, they built a life rooted in hard work and generosity, including their shared dedication to Norton & Stokes Service Station, where LaVerne served faithfully as co-owner of the business.

She was the widow of John Ervin Stokes and was preceded in death by her cherished son, Derek Ervin Stokes of Macon, and her beloved granddaughter, Ashlee Shea Haygood, whose memories she carried tenderly throughout her life.

LaVerne is survived by two loving daughters, Sylvia Stokes Lindsey (Steve) of Macon and Nancy Stokes Haygood (Shane) of Gainesville. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Kaitlyn Fulcher (Cameron) of Cumming, Branden Cote (Femke) of Flowery Branch, and Emory Lindsey (Taylor) of Sugar Hill. She also leaves behind five great‑grandchildren, Caden, Adalynn, Yannai, Tahlia, and Mikko.

A woman of remarkable energy and community spirit, LaVerne lived a life filled with service, creativity, and fellowship. She was a dedicated member of Liberty Church and spent more than 17 years working with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department, where she was respected for her diligence and integrity. Her love of music and camaraderie led her to the Middle Georgia CB Radio Club and the Sweet Adelines International Wings of Harmony Choir of Macon, where she also served as Secretary. She joyfully shared her faith as a Sunday school teacher at Avondale Baptist Church, where she also pitched for the softball team and sang in the choir.

In the last five years, LaVerne has been an engaged member of Manor Lake Assisted Living Community in Gainesville. Known for her style and sweet spirit, she never missed a social event and made a lasting impact on the staff and residents.

Above all, LaVerne will be remembered for her kindness, her steadfast faith, her love of family, and her ability to make every person she met feel valued. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the family she cherished so deeply.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Bass Road, has charge of arrangements.