Verna A. Myers

Verna Anne Poarch Myers walked with God; then she was no more; because God took her on Thursday, December 8, 2011 peacefully at her daughter’s home in Geismar, Louisiana. She overcame the sting of cancer and death by living life with her family and friends in her last days. Verna was 64 years old and a native of Virginia having lived in Ruston, Louisiana since 1981 with her high school sweetheart and husband of 49 years. She graduated from Petersburg High School in 1965 and received her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in philosophy and religion from Virginia Tech in 1969. Verna continued her education with completion of the Course of Study Program for United Methodist Local Pastors, and most recently completed her first year pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee. Verna was preceded in death by her mother, Anne Connelly Poarch, and her father, John Crittenden Poarch. She is survived by her sister, Dana Poarch Neidley of Charlottesville, Virginia and beloved children and spouses, Jennifer Myers Bates and Dr. Larry Bates of Geismar, Louisiana, Kenneth Edward Myers and Lauren Clayton Myers of Choudrant, Louisiana, and Kristen Myers Saldivar and York Saldivar of Laguna Vista, Texas, also loving niece and nephew, Christine and Andrew Neidley, uncles, aunts and friends. Though the night around her was falling and his voice to her was calling, the joy she shared of her treasured grandchildren, Ethan Marko and Emily Elizabeth Saldivar and Stella Anne Myers, born December 7, 2011, as they tarried here, none other has ever known. Verna touched the lives of many who knew here as wife, mother, sister, advisor, counselor, pastor and friend. She was passionate about making the world a better place by showing love to those He brought to her. She looked past outward appearances and truly saw the beauty in all God’s children.

A private service will be held by the family in Petersburg, Virginia. The family requests memorial gifts be made to the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home, P. O. Box 929, Ruston, LA 71273 or Log-a-Load for Kids, P.O. Box 5607, Alexandria, LA 71307 or see www.logaload.org for your state contact.