Lillie LaVerne Ward

Lillie LaVerne Ward, age 94 years, 11 months, passed away on September 26, 2026. Born on October 26, 1931 to Robert Lee and Lillie (Hooper) Lee, LaVerne lived a full life dedicated to her Lord, family and community. She and her husband, Aubry Ward, were longtime residents of Diboll, Texas raising their four children with love, joy, and dedication. She was a faithful member of the Diboll United Pentecostal Church. LaVerne’s listening ear and sage advice made her a friend of many. She will be missed by a host of loved ones.

LaVerne was an avid creator of adventure and joy. She loved to read, garden and create. There were gardens with tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and green beans. There were days of sitting on the front porch telling stories or giving advice, visiting with family and friends, and shelling those green beans she had planted. She was a playwright, creating plays that were presented at church youth rallies and special events. LaVerne self-taught herself many things with a voracious appetite to learn and grow. In the later years, she wrote and published a book entitled, “Looking Back”. It recounts events throughout her life that made a lasting impression on the lady she became. Her faith in God always was a central factor in all she did. LaVerne raised her family with strong values that are exhibited today in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

LaVerne is survived by her children Nancy Blakey and husband David, Jill Patterson and husband Mike, Amy Garmany and husband Doug and daughter-in-law, Shirley Ward; ten grandchildren- Kristi Duske, Denise Ward, Erick Blakey, Amber Davis, Kay Cureton, Daniel Patterson, Rachel Snodgrass, Faith Elizondo, Jonathan Garmany and Grace Calicott and twenty great grandchildren. She is survived by her beloved sister, LaFaye Jones and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-one years, Aubry Ward and her son, Aubry Brian Ward, as well as her parents Robert and Lillie Lee, sisters, Hazel Pinkston, Elsie Ward and Selvia Bradshaw and brothers, Hershel and Jesse Lee.

We welcome you to share in a celebration of life service held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Gipson Funeral Home in Lufkin, Texas. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Memorial Park, also Lufkin. The family will receive visitors Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gipson Funeral Home.

Flowers are loved and appreciated. If you prefer, in lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made in honor of LaVerne Ward to a mission close to her heart at give.upci.org/category/upci/gm/europe/gm-patterson-mike.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.