Vernell L Catlett

She was born on January 3, 1921 to the late Tommie Carter Sellers and the late Myrtie Lee Jefferson in Keene, Virginia. She was one of five children. Her oldest sister, Ada Sellers and her two younger sisters Bernice Frye, Eunice Banks as well as her brother Thomas P Sellers, Jr. preceded her in death. Vernell joined the North Garden Virginia Baptist Church, North Garden, Virginia at a very young age.

She was educated in the public schools of Albemarle County Virginia and graduated from Esmont High School in 1938.

On December 31, 1940, she was married to James Louis Catlett in Charlottesville, Virginia who preceded her in death. From this union, one son, Jerrel Lewis Catlett was born September 13, 1943. Vernell and James shared 33 glorious years until his death in February 17, 1974.

Vernell and James moved to Washington, DC in 1940. She started her career with the Department of Defense, U.S. Army in 1942 until her retirement in 1977 after 35 years of continuous and dedicated federal service. She had been retired for 42 years. She became a member of the Zion Baptist Church of Washington DC in 1970 and served on the Senior Usher Board. She later joined the Fellowship Baptist Church in 1994 and was a Charter member under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Carlton W. Veazey. She remained an active member until her health prevented her from attending.

Vernell affectionately known as “Granny”, was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She loved to play pinochle and was a member of her neighborhood pinochle club, the 13 Chatters and then the Saturday Eight until her health prevented her from playing. She loved to shop, sew, work crossword puzzles, and cook delicious meals. She had an extensive hat collection and loved wearing them to church. She also loved entertaining her family and friends at the family summer home at the Longview Beach Club, in Southern, MD, know to all as “the Beach”. She always hosted games of Bingo and would give away tons of prizes while entertaining her guests at the Beach. In 2014 and 2015, she was crowned the oldest living club member at the Longview Beach Club, where she had been a longtime member and part time resident for over 60 years. She had a deep commitment to helping those in need and made sure her family did the same. She touched the lives of many.

Vernell Catlett is survived by a devoted son, Jerrel, her daughter-in-law Miriam, her dedicated and loving Granddaughter, Monique Catlett, (Paul Copeland) and one super Great Grandson, Jerrel L. Catlett, II. She also leaves to morn, her loving goddaughter, Renee Speight and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family, the Wheeler’s.