LaVerda passed away May 1, 2005, after a long illness due to heart failure and diabetes. Visitation will be held at Mish Funeral Home, 120 Minner ST., Oildale, CA, on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, 11 1 p.m., with funeral services following at Mish Funeral Home at 1 p.m. the same day. Pastor Madeline Elsea will officiate. LaVerda will be buried beside her late husband, Orval, at Acacia Memorial Park, Modesto, CA., on Thursday, May 5, 2005, at 1 p.m.
LaVerda was born in Macomb, Oklahoma, on September 17, 1917. She married Orval Powers in 1937, in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. They moved to Modesto, CA, in 1946, and she moved to Bakersfield in 1990 after his death. For many years, LaVerda and Orval lived and worked on the Pope families ranches near Ione, CA, where she was held in high esteem for her loving and caring work as housekeeper.
LaVerda was preceded in death by her husband, Orval, in 1986; her father, William Alcy Callaway; and mother, Viola Callaway; sisters, LaVera Powers and Vonceal Horn. Survivors include her nephew whom she raised, Gary Horn and his wife, Linda; brother, Glen Callaway of Elk City, Oklahoma; sisters, Christeen Blankenship of Camarillo, Marcella Cagle of Bakersfield, and Maxcine Myatt of Clovis; and numerous nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
LaVerda enjoyed gardening, attending church, and participating in quilting class. She and her late husband had many friends. In early times in Oklahoma, they entertained in their home, playing cards and enjoying guitar and fiddle music by their neighbors, and dancing the night away. Although they had no children of their own, they always had some of the nieces and nephews visiting them. LaVerda was much loved by all who knew her, never said a bad word about anyone, and was always neutral in family disputes. She will be greatly missed.
