Celebration of life services for Laverne Edwards Means, 96, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, 2017, at Craddock Memorial Chapel with Dr. Rick Baggett officiating. She will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Ardmore. The family will host a visitation at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 6 to 7. Services are under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home.
Mrs. Means was born November 12 1920, at Oakwood, Texas, to the late William Lafayette “Aiken” Edwards III and Hattie O “Lena (Wornell) Edwards. Being raised in Butler, Freestone County, Texas, she graduated from Fairfield High School, and then went to work in Houston, TX, where she met the love of her life Harlan Ray Means. They were married January 30, 1943, in Harlingen, TX. From that union came three sons, John, Steve and Larry.
Harlan served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII, and then moved Laverne to Ardmore in 1945. Harlan preceded her in death August 17, 1980.
Laverne was the oldest of five children. Her parents, a sister Louise Moran, and a brother William Lafayette “Dub” Edwards IV, preceded her in death. She is survived by two sisters, Billie Dell Endersbee, Lake City, FL and Patsy Jo Toombs, Fresno, CA, a sister-in-law Mary Lou Donnell, Dallas, TX, her three sons, John and wife Carolyn Jo “Sissy” Means, Ardmore, OK, Steve A. means and friend Anna Fischer, Ardmore, OK. and Larry Means, Ardmore. OK. Laverne had one grandchild, John C. Means Jr., and two great grandchildren, Emily Claire Means and Evan William Means. She is also a step grandmother to Carolan Britnie Ross and husband, Dakota Ross of Ardmore, OK. Carlie Rebecca Webb, Beaumont, TX. and step great grandmother to Tristann Means, Ardmore.
Laverne was very interested in her ancestry, being a member of the DAR, and researching the Edwards and Satterwhite 
families in Texas history. She was also a past member of the Ryonis Club in Ardmore. She loved birds, and commercially raised parakeets (Budgerigar) and lovebirds for many years.
She loved working in her yard and took much pride in decorating her family home of 62 years, where she raised her children.
Serving as Pallbearers will be John Means, Steve Means, Larry Means, Roger Sharp, Dakota Ross, and John C. Means, Jr. Honorary Pallbearer will be Billy Hignight.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Elmbrook Nursing Home for the excellent are and concern during her stay.
Condolences may be shared online at craddockfuneralhome.com
