Verdalene Lagravier

Verdalene was born in the Mecca Community, on January 17, 1922, to Benjamin Franklin Hooper and Addie Lou Gibson Hooper. She passed away on January 3, 2019, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, in Rosenberg, Texas.

She graduated from Normangee High School in 1940, then went to work for the American Can Company in Houston. June 5, 1943, she married Elmer (Bill) Lagravier, and moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was stationed in the Army. Later, they moved to Knoxville, Kentucky. When Bill went overseas, she returned to family in Houston. After the war, they came back to Normangee, and built their home.
Verdalene enjoyed sewing and cooking, particularly baking. She created her own wardrobe and also that of her daughter’s. Homemade cookies were often warm on the counter when her children returned from school. Cakes, pies and yeast rolls were frequently shared with friends and neighbors.

She was an active member of Harmony Baptist Church for decades, and loved her church family.
Through her years in Normangee, Verdalene was an active supporter of her children’s school programs, often providing refreshments, and sometimes sewing costumes. She also served as an officer of Normangee Service Club.
IN 1967, she became a rural mail carrier for Normangee Post Office. She retired in 1985, after carrying mail for eighteen years, a job she thoroughly enjoyed.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her husband in 1988, and her sister, Louise Hooper Byrd. Also preceding her in death was a daughter-in-law Darlily Mae Yurgensen, and two grandchildren, Michael Wayne Lagravier and Michelle Delynn Lagravier.
Survivors include her children, Billie Lou Greer and husband Billy Jack (Sonny), Jerry Wayne and wife Cathy Lagravier of College Station, John H. Lagravier of Hilltop Lakes.

Grandchildren surviving are Elizabeth Rightnawar, Jeri Lynn Diserens, Jeff Greer, Stacey Kiesling, Amy McHenry, Blake Greer, Kristi McNeill and Lance McDowell.
Verdakene’s great grandchildren are Terrell Fergunson, Dana Diserens, Erin Diserens, Zachary May, Robin Diserens, Nolan Diserens, Aiden McHenry, Greer Kiesling, Molly Greer, Ellie Kiesling, Joey Greer, Davis McNeill, Kellan Greer and Zane Greer.