Verna Marie Black

On the evening of March 22, 2023, Verna Marie Black gracefully passed in her beloved apartment at Rosewood Retirement Community in Bakersfield, CA. embraced by loved ones, a cool breeze, through an open window, carried her home. Verna, an only child, was born January 20th, 1927, to William Rees and Marie Louise Guidry in Breaux Bridge, LA, the heart of Cajun country. At an early age, Verna left Louisiana for California, where her father worked in the oilfields in Taft and Long Beach. Her mother remarried a serviceman from Mississippi, who was stationed in Taft. They moved a lot, but eventually returned to California. Verna was determined to create a better life for herself, so she ambitiously began working at a very young age. Training in business led to a bookkeeping job at the Pixley Ford dealership, where she met and married Charlie Nicely, had three girls and was so happy to become a homemaker.

Tragically, Charlie was killed in an auto accident. Verna moved to Porterville, CA to be close to her mother, where she married Burl White and had her fourth child, a son. Burl and Verna moved to Bakersfield, but the marriage did not last. Verna raised her four children as a single parent. Her strength and determination to create the best life for her family was of most importance. Her business skills and hard work supplemented her income by investing in real estate (she was probably one of the first property flippers). She alone created that better life for her family she had dreamed of as a young girl. She moved to Sacramento to be close to her son, who was living with his father. She also lived in South Lake Tahoe, CA, where she built a beautiful home for her family to enjoy. Grandchildren brought her back to Bakersfield and to the husband of her dreams, Bill Black, and back to Taft. For twenty-seven years, she enjoyed traveling, entertainment, friends and the love of a truly good man.

Verna was preceded in death by her dearest husband and best friend, Bill Black of Taft, CA. She will be eternally missed by her surviving family: children: Charmaine Pape of South Lake Tahoe, CA., Bridgett Epps of Turlock, CA., Becky Scott of Bakersfield, CA., and Stephen White of Sacramento, CA. Grandchildren; Elliot, Randy, Charley, Rachael and Carly. Greatgrandchildren; Izabella, Deja, Morgan, Rexton and Madelyn.

Verna was a force in this world, from the thirteen-pound bundle of joy at birth, through the 96 years of living life to the fullest, a legend. If you knew her, you remembered her, for whatever reason, she inspired you. It may be her impeccable fashion sense, her avant-garde interior design, her delicious cooking, her long list of artistic endeavors, her green-thumb yard, her ridiculously entertaining sense of humor, or most memorable, her ability to be wise, honest and real. Her life was full, she was brave, she was accepting, and she was happy with herself. Good job Verna.

The lesson you left us all for eternity is the lesson of love. “To give to you is to give to me”.

A visitation for Verna will be held Monday, April 24,2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Delano, 707 Browning Road, Delano, CA 93215. A celebration of life will occur Monday, April 24, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 707 Browning Road, Delano, CA 93215. A committal service will occur Monday, April 24 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at North Kern District Cemetery, 627 Austin St., Delano, CA 93215.

Serving as pallbearers are Stephen White, Michael Pape, Benny Scott, Michael Johnson, Travis Caldwell and Mark Dickerson.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.delanomortuary.com for the family. Services entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Delano, a Dignity Memorial provider.