LaVerne Lees Smith

COLUMBIA - Mrs. Laverne Smith, 89, resident of Wildewood Downs Retirement Community, died June 24, 2015 after a brief illness. She was a 1943 graduate of Ferndale High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and a member of the Ferndale United Methodist Church. Mrs. Smith was a daughter of Albert E. Lees and Agnes L. Lees, the former wife of Richard Alton Smith, Windber, PA and mother of Craig Lee Smith. Preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Emma Lees Sanna, Agnes Louise Lees, and Marie Lees Layton; brother, Albert G. Lees; half-sister, Dorothy Lees Russell; half-brother, Melrose Lees; aunts, Marie Lees Dongell, Eleanor Lees Rapsky, Beatrice Alice Lees Martino; and daughter-in-law, Hildegard Abaz Smith. She is survived by her son, Craig Lee Smith; her aunt, Jessie Lees Reck; numerous cousins; nephews; and nieces. Mrs. Smith was in the US Cadet Nurse Program for three years during WWII and was a recipient of a Mellon Scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh two Yr. Pre-Nursing Program at the Johnstown Campus. She received her BS in Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh, PA and graduate course work in the MA degree at the same university. She also was a Graduate Student Advisor, while in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. She completed a two year program in Hospital Administration at Rutgers, The University at New Brunswick, NJ, and took additional graduate courses in Administration at Moorhead University, Moorhead, MN. Mrs. Smith remained alert to the changing needs of nursing through her many professional relationships, professional seminars and workshops. Mrs. Smith’s professional experience included appointments in both the public and private sectors in seven states. Prior to joining the Veterans Administration, she was Educational Director of the Diploma School of Nursing in Windber, PA, following Staff Nurse, Head Nurse, Supervisor roles in Pittsburgh Hospitals. She started her VA career as Associate Chief, Nursing Services for Education at Veterans Administration Medical Center, Batavia, NY, and held the same position at VAMC, Madison, Wisconsin and VAMC, East Orange, NJ. In 1974 she went to VAMC, Bronx, NY, as Assoc. Chief, Nsg. Svc. and to VAMC, Fargo, ND, in her first Chief Nurse assignment. Mrs. Smith was promoted to Chief, Nsg. Svc, Columbia, SC, and further advanced to VA Central Office in Washington, DC as Area Chief of the Great Lakes Region, then as Chief, Nursing Programs, Personnel Management and Career Development. She retired from the Veterans Administration as Chief Nurse, VAMC, Philadelphia, PA on January 8, 1988. Mrs. Smith maintained affiliations with numerous nursing and professional societies, including the American Nurses’ Association, the National League for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing International Honor Society), National Association of Retired Federal Employees, a prior member of the AHA Organization of Nurse Executives, The American (VA) Military Surgeons of the US (AMSUS), and a community member of the Fort Jackson Officers’ Club. Mrs. Smith was a nursing liaison with universities, which had affiliation agreements with various VAMCs. She was a preceptor in the Chief Nurse Program and served on Central Office Task Force throughout her career. Before returning to Columbia for retirement, Mrs. Smith was a Resident Care Coordinator at Central Park Lodge, Broomall, PA, for 8 months. Laverne was a capable, accomplished, caring and joyful individual who will be very missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to one’s area VA medical center or a local charity serving the needs of veterans and their families. Family graveside services will be held at a later date in Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown, PA, with The Rev. Dr. Paul Morris officiating.