Laverne (Christopher) Whitfield

Laverne Whitfield, of Arlington, Texas passed away peacefully on Friday, May 19 at the age of
99. Laverne was born in Breckenridge, Texas to John and Bessie Christopher. She graduated
from high school in Woodville, Texas and completed Cosmetology School soon after and began
working in a salon in Houston.
Laverne married Waford Bush in 1941 and gave birth to a daughter Delila. She married her
husband, Tom Whitfield, in 1953 and they moved to Pasadena, Texas. They went on to have
three daughters, Kay, Karen and Dianne. Laverne gave her all to raising her children and making
the family home warm and beautiful. She loved art, nature, music and reading.
Tom and Laverne were very active in the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star – their participation
was a highlight of both their lives. Laverne also was the consummate volunteer, serving as Girl
Scout Leader for all three girls, PTA officer, and Worthy Advisor in Rainbow Girls.
After Tom retired from Shell Oil, Laverne was able to pursue her longtime desire to travel.
Together, they went on many trips, one as far away as China. After Tom’s death in 1987,
Laverne continued to travel with the friends they had made. During this period, her
grandchildren were born, and she enjoyed spending time with them whenever possible.
She bought a house in Arlington, TX in 2002 to be near her family. In 2009, Laverne moved to
the Texas Masonic Retirement Community, beginning the final phase of her life. She loved
living in the Community, had many friends, served as an Eastern Star officer and won many
Bingo Games. She still took care of plants, crocheted, did jigsaw puzzles and read until the end
of her life.
Laverne was preceded in death by husband Tom, daughter, Karen Thomas and son-in-law, Keith
Thomas. She is survived by daughter Delila, daughter and son-in-law Kay and Scott Miller,
daughter and son-in-law Dianne and Martin Priest, grandchildren Mark Waller, Nathan Thomas,
Nolan Thomas, Valerie Miller, Lauren Thomas, Kerry Miller, Kelsey Aubrey, Hannah Priest and
Hayden Priest, and great-grandchildren Trace Thomas and Cash Thomas and Maren and Bristol
Aubrey.
Services will be held at the Texas Masonic Retirement Community 1501 W Division in Arlington
at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 1. Donations may be made to the TMRC.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laverne (Christopher) Whitfield, please visit our floral store.