LaVerne Jones' Obituary
LaVerne Jones, 85, joined the Lord in heaven on June 13, 2017, after having been admitted to Florida Hospital on Fletcher Avenue just two days earlier. Although she was diagnosed with cancer and Alzheimer’s within the last year, she remained strong in spirit and cognizant, enthusiastically enjoying time with her vast family and friends, who were surrounding her until her last breath. LaVerne was called Bern by those closest to her, and she treated everyone as though they were her very own. She was an innate nurturer, and conveyed love to all whom she encountered. Actively involved in the church for her entire life, she served for many years as the administrative assistant to the state overseer and comptroller at the Church of God State Offices, but she was devoted especially to caring for and teaching children. Her long career with Hillsborough County Schools was interrupted once by a brief “first retirement” to play with her newly born grandchildren, only to return to the school system, work for many more years at Westshore Elementary, and retire a second time. LaVerne would drop everything to help family, friends, neighbors, and many strangers in need. Her life of selfless service was a living witness of her faith in action.
She is remembered especially for her acute memory for details that no one else could recall, her love for telling stories—she barely needed an audience—and recounting the many trips and great times she had with her devoted husband (Eubon) of 65 years. They enjoyed spending the months of May through October among the Rhododendrons at their home in Roan Mountain, TN, where the door was always open to a constant stream of family and friends visiting them every year during this time away. Their annual 4th of July picnics encompassed not only family and friends driving in from other states, but the entire “mountain-top” community.
A native of Tampa and 3rd generation Floridian, LaVerne graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1949. She learned to cook at a young age, and her culinary skills are legendary among four generations of descendants and friends. Tampa is uniquely situated in the south, but also deeply influenced by the Cuban culture, and she was a master of both cuisines. Her recipes include the best chicken and dumplings, collard greens, turkey dressing, sweet tea, and fresh strawberry preserves served anywhere. Equally superb were her adaptations of arroz con pollo, lechon asado (with sour oranges from Papa’s “lime tree”), picadillo, and garbanzo bean soup, which family and friends often proclaimed to be better and more flavorful than anything from the Columbia Restaurant or anywhere along “Boliche Boulevard.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlie W. Johns Sr. and Stella J. Johns; brother, Arlie W. Johns Jr.; sister and best-friend, Russalie J. McBee. She is survived by her husband, Walter Eubon Jones; three children: Walter E. Jones Jr. (Patricia Jordan), Dennis W. Jones (Kathryn), and Shirley J. Mitchell (John); 12 grandchildren: Justin Jones (Rachel), Jarrod Jones (Teresa Carl), Stephen Jones, Devin Jones (Lindsey), Jennifer Jones, David Jones, Lindsey Cannon (Rodney), Bonnie Nitz (James), Taylor Caum (Gemini), Kaitlynde Caum, Dustin Mitchell (Maribel), Ashley Mitchell; 10 great grandchildren: Jericho Jones, Justice Jones, Charlotte Cannon, Ceaton Cannon, Caroline Cannon, Cadia Cannon, Cera Cannon, Felix Nitz, Marley Mitchell, Jett Mitchell; a number of loving in-laws, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews too many to number.
Services will be officiated by Pastor Mike Tedder, Bethel Church, Tampa, FL; nephew, Pastor Arlie Johns III, Hilliard First Assembly of God, Hilliard, FL; grandson-in-law, Pastor Rodney Cannon, Frostproof Church of God, Frostproof, FL.
Held on Saturday, June 17, 2017: Visitation – 10 a.m., Memorial Service – 11 a.m., Luncheon – Noon
Location: Bethel Church
1510 W. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL 33603
Graveside service and burial to follow at 2:45 p.m.
Location: Sunset Memory Gardens
11005 U.S. 301
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
In lieu of flowers and in recognition of LaVerne’s life-long support of Christian missionaries, the family requests donations to her niece who serves as a teacher and missionary in Thailand:
Assemblies of God World Missions
Rebecca Johns, Thailand
1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
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