Gennene was born to Paul Walter VerVais and Florence Lange VerVais in Temple, Texas on May 28, 1944. They moved to Iowa City after the war where her father was a medical illustrator at The University of Iowa.
Gennene was a graduate of Regina High School in Iowa City, Iowa and attended Mary Crest College and The University of Iowa. She was a member of The Pony Club in Iowa City and was able to fulfill her love of horses by riding, showing, and caring for them. She married Thomas Edward Cordle in Iowa City on August 28, 1965. They lived in Iowa, Germany, Texas, and settled in Gastonia, NC. Gennene stayed home to raise 2 daughters, Laith and Stephanie, and then eventually retired from her many years working as an elementary school teachers assistant. Nina was an accomplished artist, gardener, and avid dog lover. She was well known in the art community and a member of the Gaston County Art Guild. A lovely woman who cherished her family and her friends, Nina will always be remembered for her sweet sense of humor and a gift for caring for others.
She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Stevie who died at age 10; and her husband, Tom.
Nina is survived by her daughters, Stephanie (Stephen) Neal of Raleigh, NC, and Laith (David) Snead of Gastonia, NC; and four grandchildren, Natalie and Nathan Neal, and Dane and Joy Snead.
A memorial reception will be held from 4-6 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the NC State University Club, Raleigh, NC.
Nina’s family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to the staff members of Brighton Gardens of Raleigh for their excellent care given during the time she lived there.
Memorial donations may be made to Saving Grace Animals for Adoptions, P.O. Box 1649, Wake Forest, NC 27588 (savinggrace.org), or Transitions LifeCare, Philanthropy Dept., 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607 (transitionslifecare.org/donate).
Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh. Condolences may be left at www.brownwynneraleigh.com.
