Obituary for Laverne Harwell Jackson
Laverne Harwell Jackson, 91, passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Canyon, Texas, surrounded by her family. She was born January 20, 1932, at the family farm in Oldham County, Texas, and was the middle child of W.A. “Zeb” and Bessie Hammer. She resided in Vega as a young girl, and she loved riding her horse and sharing her modest life with her family—she was especially proud of her brother and sister.
Laverne’s faith was unwavering. Her first love was Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. As a dedicated Christian, who read her Bible daily, she had a deep relationship with the Lord and possessed a true gift of agape love. Laverne knew how important God’s work is on this Earth and was an encourager for others to have a special relationship with God. She taught Sunday School, Girls in Action classes, and Vacation Bible School, while serving on many church committees.
Laverne was also honored to be an American and was very proud of her country.
She graduated from Vega High School in 1950 and attended West Texas State College to pursue her passion for education where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1954. Some of her fondest memories from WT were serving as President and becoming lifelong friends with many of her Zeta Sorority sisters—they continued to see one another through the years and took annual trips together for as long as they could.
After graduating from WT, she married Roddy “Fuzz” Harwell, Jr., who helped her create a wonderful legacy for their two children. She and Fuzz had a special relationship working on the farm, and they were good and faithful stewards of the land. They spent 27 years together before he preceded her in death in 1981. Laverne also worked in the ASCS office where she became a skilled businesswoman. She taught Home Economics at Vega High School and had many fond memories of her students, which she loved as her own. She could sew and cook with the best of them! She would come in from the field late at night, prepare a meal, and sit down at the sewing machine until late in the evening making school clothes for her children.
Later in 1987, she married Donald W. Jackson and moved to Borger, Texas. There she made many new friends and helped DJ with his oil and gas firm along with his farms in Oklahoma. They loved traveling, enjoyed many international trips together, and spent a lot of time at DJ’s cabin in Angel Fire. They also loved being in their cul-de-sac home on Park Place in Borger with their precious friends and neighbors. Laverne selflessly cared for DJ in his last years, and he preceded her in death in 2006.
One of her greatest life joys was being Granny Sis to her seven grandchildren and her seven great-grandchildren. Her precious time with them was spent playing games and putting puzzles together—this brought her more joy than anything else in this world! Special times also included fun tea parties and long talks on the telephone. She knew how important family is and tried hard to always make sure each one of them received a birthday card to affirm how much she loved them.
Laverne was preceded in death by her brother, Gene Hammer, her sister, Catherine “Skeet” Banks, as well as her parents and husbands. Also included are her mother (in-law), Irene Harwell, her brothers and sisters (in-law), Lynn Harwell, Don “Tuff” Harwell, Shirley Scott, and Sharon Hobbs.
She is survived by her children: Mark Harwell of Vega and Dawn Welch of Canyon alongside husband, Jed. She is also survived by her precious grandchildren. From Mark: Roddy Harwell and wife, Krista; Colby Harwell; Brady Harwell and wife, Rae; and Riley Harwell and wife, Hannah. From Dawn: Jenna Mysak and husband, Jeffrey; Jordan Easom and husband, Jordan; Jayton Chapa and husband, Chris. And her wonderful great-grandchildren. From Jenna: Taylor and Brooks. From Jordan: Jed, Josie Belle, Jeter, and Joel. From Roddy: Richard. Last but not least, she is survived by her sisters (in-law), Margaret Hammer and Gail Harwell, and her brother (in-law), Charles Banks, along with numerous special nieces and nephews (all claiming to be her favorite).
Heartfelt thanks to her family and friends in Vega, Borger, Canyon, and Palo Duro Retirement Village, for their love and support throughout her life. She spent the last part of her life with several health issues and fought with tremendous grace and resilience. Special thanks to Texas Oncology including Dr. Tumula and staff, Amarillo Diagnostic Center including Dr. Mitchell and staff along with Alana Elmquist, Amarillo Heart Group including Dr. Soya and staff, Texas Tech Health Sciences including Dr. Patel and staff along with Mary Taylor Ibarra, and Dr. Crossnoe and staff for their unmeasurable care, patience, understanding, and tireless compassion showed to Laverne during her life and especially later on when she needed them the most. BSA Hospice of the Southwest became family during their time of caring for Laverne. Their compassion and kindness has been unmeasurable. Special thanks to D’dee Grove, Kathleen, Dawn, Jennifer and Greg for the love they poured out into our family.
A viewing and visitation will be held at Brooks Chapel in Canyon on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Food and desserts will be served after at her daughter’s home located at 1417 Creekmere Drive. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Borger with Pastor Charlie Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Vega Memorial Cemetery that same day.
Having the distinguished honor of being her pallbearers are her grandchildren: Jenna, Roddy, Colby, Jordan, Jayton, Brady, and Riley. Honorary pallbearers include Charles Banks, Danny Holt, Dennis Holt, Stephen Horst, Lawrence Jones, Donnie Knox, Larry Thompson, and Tad Lovelace.
Expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to: First Baptist Church of Borger, 100 S. Hedgecoke, Borger, Texas, 79007; BSA Hospice of the Southwest, 5211 SW 9th, Ste. 100, Amarillo, Texas, 79106; or a charity of your choice.
To honor Laverne Jackson’s spirit and profound impact she had on so many lives, the family kindly suggests writing and sending a brief note of gratitude to a meaningful friend or teacher. This simple gesture, reflecting the values and Christian spirit which Laverne held dear, would be greatly appreciated.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. ~ John 12:24
Laverne’s faith was unwavering. Her first love was Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. As a dedicated Christian, who read her Bible daily, she had a deep relationship with the Lord and possessed a true gift of agape love. Laverne knew how important God’s work is on this Earth and was an encourager for others to have a special relationship with God. She taught Sunday School, Girls in Action classes, and Vacation Bible School, while serving on many church committees.
Laverne was also honored to be an American and was very proud of her country.
She graduated from Vega High School in 1950 and attended West Texas State College to pursue her passion for education where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1954. Some of her fondest memories from WT were serving as President and becoming lifelong friends with many of her Zeta Sorority sisters—they continued to see one another through the years and took annual trips together for as long as they could.
After graduating from WT, she married Roddy “Fuzz” Harwell, Jr., who helped her create a wonderful legacy for their two children. She and Fuzz had a special relationship working on the farm, and they were good and faithful stewards of the land. They spent 27 years together before he preceded her in death in 1981. Laverne also worked in the ASCS office where she became a skilled businesswoman. She taught Home Economics at Vega High School and had many fond memories of her students, which she loved as her own. She could sew and cook with the best of them! She would come in from the field late at night, prepare a meal, and sit down at the sewing machine until late in the evening making school clothes for her children.
Later in 1987, she married Donald W. Jackson and moved to Borger, Texas. There she made many new friends and helped DJ with his oil and gas firm along with his farms in Oklahoma. They loved traveling, enjoyed many international trips together, and spent a lot of time at DJ’s cabin in Angel Fire. They also loved being in their cul-de-sac home on Park Place in Borger with their precious friends and neighbors. Laverne selflessly cared for DJ in his last years, and he preceded her in death in 2006.
One of her greatest life joys was being Granny Sis to her seven grandchildren and her seven great-grandchildren. Her precious time with them was spent playing games and putting puzzles together—this brought her more joy than anything else in this world! Special times also included fun tea parties and long talks on the telephone. She knew how important family is and tried hard to always make sure each one of them received a birthday card to affirm how much she loved them.
Laverne was preceded in death by her brother, Gene Hammer, her sister, Catherine “Skeet” Banks, as well as her parents and husbands. Also included are her mother (in-law), Irene Harwell, her brothers and sisters (in-law), Lynn Harwell, Don “Tuff” Harwell, Shirley Scott, and Sharon Hobbs.
She is survived by her children: Mark Harwell of Vega and Dawn Welch of Canyon alongside husband, Jed. She is also survived by her precious grandchildren. From Mark: Roddy Harwell and wife, Krista; Colby Harwell; Brady Harwell and wife, Rae; and Riley Harwell and wife, Hannah. From Dawn: Jenna Mysak and husband, Jeffrey; Jordan Easom and husband, Jordan; Jayton Chapa and husband, Chris. And her wonderful great-grandchildren. From Jenna: Taylor and Brooks. From Jordan: Jed, Josie Belle, Jeter, and Joel. From Roddy: Richard. Last but not least, she is survived by her sisters (in-law), Margaret Hammer and Gail Harwell, and her brother (in-law), Charles Banks, along with numerous special nieces and nephews (all claiming to be her favorite).
Heartfelt thanks to her family and friends in Vega, Borger, Canyon, and Palo Duro Retirement Village, for their love and support throughout her life. She spent the last part of her life with several health issues and fought with tremendous grace and resilience. Special thanks to Texas Oncology including Dr. Tumula and staff, Amarillo Diagnostic Center including Dr. Mitchell and staff along with Alana Elmquist, Amarillo Heart Group including Dr. Soya and staff, Texas Tech Health Sciences including Dr. Patel and staff along with Mary Taylor Ibarra, and Dr. Crossnoe and staff for their unmeasurable care, patience, understanding, and tireless compassion showed to Laverne during her life and especially later on when she needed them the most. BSA Hospice of the Southwest became family during their time of caring for Laverne. Their compassion and kindness has been unmeasurable. Special thanks to D’dee Grove, Kathleen, Dawn, Jennifer and Greg for the love they poured out into our family.
A viewing and visitation will be held at Brooks Chapel in Canyon on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Food and desserts will be served after at her daughter’s home located at 1417 Creekmere Drive. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Borger with Pastor Charlie Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Vega Memorial Cemetery that same day.
Having the distinguished honor of being her pallbearers are her grandchildren: Jenna, Roddy, Colby, Jordan, Jayton, Brady, and Riley. Honorary pallbearers include Charles Banks, Danny Holt, Dennis Holt, Stephen Horst, Lawrence Jones, Donnie Knox, Larry Thompson, and Tad Lovelace.
Expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to: First Baptist Church of Borger, 100 S. Hedgecoke, Borger, Texas, 79007; BSA Hospice of the Southwest, 5211 SW 9th, Ste. 100, Amarillo, Texas, 79106; or a charity of your choice.
To honor Laverne Jackson’s spirit and profound impact she had on so many lives, the family kindly suggests writing and sending a brief note of gratitude to a meaningful friend or teacher. This simple gesture, reflecting the values and Christian spirit which Laverne held dear, would be greatly appreciated.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. ~ John 12:24