LaVerne Brown Wood

LaVerne Brown Wood went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 23, 2018. She will be terribly missed by her family and friends but we are confident that we will be reunited with her in Heaven. LaVerne was born on October 20, 1935 in Lindale, Texas to Edwin and Beatrice “Sweetie” Brown. One of nine children, she grew up surrounded by love and companionship. She graduated from Lindale High School in 1954 and went on to the University of North Texas. It was there that she met her husband, Doug Wood, a dashing and fun-loving senior. LaVerne was beautiful inside and out. She was crowned Miss Tyler in 1954 and competed that year for the Miss Texas title, but it was the beauty of her spirit that was so very special. She never spoke an unkind word about anyone, choosing instead to see the good in everyone. Laverne was the wife of an Air Force pilot, traveling the world with her growing family. They were stationed in Japan and Okinawa as well as several bases in the United States. Uprooting was hard but she held her family close and made every new location special with her outgoing personality and sweetness. She made wonderful friends that she kept her entire life. LaVerne possessed many talents. She was a beautiful seamstress, played bridge and mahjong, was a wonderful cook and a Master Gardner. And she lovingly referred to Doug as her under gardener. Whatever she envisioned, he brought to life. She was never idle. She took cake decorating classes, learned to quilt, joined a garden club and had a special group of Tyler women that she lovingly referred to as “my sorority”. In 1981, with the birth of her first grandchild, LaVerne would forever become “Lolli”. She was a very special grandmother and just couldn’t believe how blessed she was to have such “beautiful and talented” grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lolli is survived by her husband of 63 years, Colonel Doug Wood and four children and their spouses, Doug, Jr. and Kathy Wood, Cheri and Jim Francis, Mark and Traci Wood, and Marla and John Pittman; 12 grandchildren and spouses, Jeff and Morgan Wood, Grant and Jessica Wood, Jake and Sarita Francis, Becca and Rob Pritchard, Jordan and Jordan Rymer, Josh Francis, Coty Wood, Heather and Shawn Maynor, Alex Wood , Johnny Pittman, Anna Kate Pittman and Gray Pittman; and 13 great grandchildren, BrookeLynn, Dalton, Colton, Gus, Winn, Vaughn, Knox, Sita, Nelson, James, Liza, Freya and Ruby. Other survivors are her brothers Joe (Nancy), Steve (Diane), and sisters Edwina (Jim) Granberry and Mary Alice (Fred) Wilkerson and all their children whom she adored. And of course, her best friend since they were young girls, Fayrene Ellet. Her friendship and love was beyond comparison. She was preceded in death by her parents, her mother and father in law, Floyd and Virgie Wood, brothers Tom, Frank, John and Robert, granddaughter Rachel Wood and great grandson Olin Wood. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Hopewell Cemetery Association. Lolli loved and was greatly loved and that love will continue through her family. Saturday, July 14th the family will be holding a private burial at Hopewell Cemetery. We invite all friends to her Celebration of Life service at Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale at 11:00 am Saturday, July 14, 2018. In remembrance of Lolli, we encourage all ladies to wear white pants. Brightly colored shirts are welcome!

LaVerne Brown Wood

October 20, 1935 - June 23, 2018