LaVerne Webb, age 97, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. She was born on March 16, 1921 in McLeansboro, IL. Her parents, Clyde and Lora Cross, along with her two siblings, lived on a farm where hard work was a way of life. LaVerne’s children have fond memories of living and working on the farm until they moved to KY in 1959. The rural lifestyle and values helped shape her life and the lives of her three children. Even though she moved to Arizona in 1961, she always spoke of Hamilton County, IL as “Back Home” and looked forward to her annual visits with family and friends. She stayed connected and enjoyed receiving the McLeansboro “Times Leader” weekly newspaper in the mail.
LaVerne loved to cook and her perfected recipe for Chicken and Dumplings became a family favorite. Her kitchen always had the aroma of fresh baked cookies or homemade pies and cakes. Her favorite pastime was crocheting and she spent countless hours making beautiful tablecloths, afghans, scarves, dishcloths and coasters which she shared with family and friends. She crocheted over 100 lap throws for wheelchair-bound nursing home patients. She was a beautician for many years and maintained her license until her early 90’s. She loved attending North Phoenix Baptist Church, where she was a member. She enjoyed hosting Sunday School parties on her mountain-view patio.
LaVerne’s family was her pride and joy. She was preceded in death by her father Clyde Cross, mother Lora Cross, sister Ella Mae Manago, brother Clyde David Cross, grandson Gary Glenn Johnson, and one (1) nephew. Survivors include two (2) sons, Gary Johnson and his wife Jeanette of Henderson KY; Lary Johnson of Elizabethtown IL; and one (1) daughter Kitty Christensen of Phoenix AZ; two (2) step-daughters, Judy Malone and Carol Dascoli of Daytona Beach FL; six (6) grandchildren, Lori Hesley, Tonya Beals, David Johnson, Paul Johnson, Debbie Horton, and Kristine Beaird; twelve (12) great grandchildren, three (3) great-great grandchildren; two (2) nieces; and many loving friends and extended family including Joe Youssefi, Ted and Carol Christensen, and caretakers and friends at Pacifica Senior Living.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for LaVerne’s Life Celebration and Funeral on Friday, June 8th with visitation at 9:00 am and service at 10:00 am with Rev. Jeff Hesley officiating. Per LaVerne’s request, Jeff and Lori Hesley will be singing her favorite hymns. Arrangements entrusted to Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 East Greenway Road, Phoenix AZ 85022. Burial will follow at Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix AZ 85027. Pallbearers will be Joe Youssefi, Jeff Beaird, Collin Addy, Paul Johnson, Mark Hesley, and Ted Christensen.
Contributions in LaVerne’s memory may be made to the North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave Phoenix AZ 85012.
