On October 29, 1936 Laverne Simon was born to Robert (Fish) and Alma McClendon Simon in Cushing, Texas. She was the first girl of seven children born to this union. She was baptized and accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Pine Grove Baptist Church. She graduated at the age of fifteen years old from C.L. Simon High School in Cushing and attended Prairie View A & M University. She graduated from both high school and college as the Valedictorian. After college her first teaching job in 1959 was in Waskom at Carey B. Abney High School. Laverne Simon met her husband, Wilferd Lee Stansell while working at Carey B. Abney High School. Later, the two joined in holy matrimony and were married in 1963. To this union two children were born, Roderick who was born in Marshall and later Renfred who was born in Dallas. The family later moved to Dallas in 1970 where they began working for the Wilmer Hutchins School District and became members of Concord Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor E.K. Bailey as the minister. The family continued attending Concord under the leadership of Pastor Brian Carter. Laverne was the Home Economics and family and consumer sciences for the Wilmer Hutchins High School for many years. She retired in 1992 after 33 years of service. .She went on to be a Teacher/Leader in Bible Study Foundation (BSF) for 18 years. Laverne later moved to Dayton, Texas to live out her life with her son, Renferd and daughter in law, Phedra until her heavenly Father called her home.
On Sunday, March 31, 2024, was welcomed into her eternal home of Glory by her parents, Robert and Alma Simon; husband, Wilferd Stansell; son, Roderick Stansell; two brothers, Donald Allison Simon and Whythyntys Simon; two sisters, Edith Christopher and Willean Ervin.
Laverne leaves to honor her legacy one child, Renfred Stansell (Phedra) of Dayton, Texas; one daughter in law, Monique Stansell of Waxahachie, Texas; a host of grandchildren, Ja’quala Stansell of Dallas, Texas, Jabari Stansell of Waxahachie, Texas, Khamryn Stansell of Houston, Texas, Rhiley Stansell of Mesquite, Texas, Leon Francois (Amanda) of Dallas, Texas, Kaylon Geyen of Houston, Texas, and Amiyah Francois of Dayton, Texas; sisters, Peggy Roberts and Connie Garrett both of Cushing, Texas; sister in laws, Annie Nobles (Alvin)and Ida McLemore (James); brother in law, Elijah Stansell, Jr. (Audrey) and a host of nieces and nephews. Special nieces, Renee Davis, Charmaine Tucker (Michael), Annjanette Davis and Mia Johnson (Waymond).
