LaVerne Ellen Laxton

Posted on October 12, 2021

LaVerne Ellen Simmons Laxton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and servant, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Oct. 5, 2021 at the age of 86.

She is survived by: her husband, Hurstle Venvard Laxton Jr.; her four children, Brenda (Rick) Baker, Thomas (Drinda) Laxton, Sheila (James) Tedder and Stephen (Rebecca) Laxton; a brother, Bill Simmons; 10 grandchildren and their spouses; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Born in Charleston, Mo., on May 20, 1935, to Thomas Marion Simmons and Mina Edith Jacobs Simmons, LaVerne was the youngest of 10 siblings.

She played basketball for Dielstadt High School, and while later attending Washington University in St. Louis, she worked for the Rexall drug store chain.

It was during her high school years that she would meet a charming young baseball player named Hurstle. This chance meeting would later blossom into nearly 70 years of marriage.

A devoted caretaker and servant, LaVerne always made everyone feel welcome in her home and would never fail to produce home-cooked food and treats for visitors, be they announced or unannounced.

Her children fondly remember the matching outfits she would make for them by hand; her Thanksgiving meals were masterpieces; and every time the boys went outside to play football or basketball, she would have “pink milk parties” with the girls.

Every child that passed through the nursery doors of the many churches in which she served witnessed her genuine love and compassion for others. LaVerne truly epitomized a servant’s life in both word and deed.

Her experience with and devotion for children would eventually lead her to serve as a preschool consultant for all churches in Illinois, where she conducted numerous conferences guiding church leaders throughout the state.

Later, she worked with the Tates Creek Baptist Association in Kentucky, where she assisted in disaster relief through the region.

She was truly the glue that held everything together here on Earth, but Heaven has gained a wonderful new addition to its choir.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home of Perry with Pastor Steven Ruff officiating. Interment services will follow immediately afterward in Pineview Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m.

All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry. Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.