Mrs. Laverne Stevens Mccrary

Laverne Stevens Birdsong McCrary knew most people in Thomaston in some fashion. She may have taught you in 4th grade or she may have taught your child. Perhaps she did your hair before she became a teacher or she may have continued to do it if you were one of the lucky few who joined her on Thursday evenings in the little home beauty shop that was a part of her garage. You may know her because she just struck up a conversation with you when she met you out shopping or on errands. It doesn’t matter, because if Laverne knew you, then you had a good friend. Laverne was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister and an aunt in the best possible way. Laverne’s exuberant personality filled the room and filled our hearts with her kindness and her joy for life. She was generous with her time and love and always found a way to visit a sick friend or relative, plan a huge family holiday or call to just check in or sing her long, personalized version of Happy Birthday. And, let’s not forget that she loved to talk. On the phone. In the kitchen. In her beauty shop. On the porch. In the aisle of the supermarket. Laverne had two careers which she approached with her particular brand of enthusiasm. She attended Beauty School right after graduating from Robert E. Lee Institute. While working as a hair dresser, she went back to school at Tift College and received her teaching degree. While working as a teacher (and still doing those favorite hair salon clients) she went back to school and received her Master’s degree in education. Laverne worked constantly and loved her work. When her mother became elderly Laverne built a home with an apartment for her and took joy in helping her remain independent. Laverne passed away on May 19, 2015 following a stroke in February. She is preceded in death by her parents, Manley Theodore Stevens and Lonnie Ussery Stevens, and her husband, Grady Donald McCrary. Surviving family includes her son, Steve Birdsong; two sisters, Sandra Campbell of Bluffton, SC, and Sharron (Tom) Kirby of Atlanta; a niece, Amy (Jeff Harris) Kirby of Atlanta; and a great nephew, Dexter Harris of Atlanta. Laverne’s passing leaves a big hole in our hearts which she would want us to fill with loving, warm, funny and “can you believe it?” memories of her. Please do that with her family at the Celebration of Laverne’s Life, which will be held at her home on Friday May 29, 2015 at 6PM. All you should bring is your wonderful memories of Laverne. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The American Stroke Association at http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/