In Memory
Verna Lazelle (Woods) White
February 3, 1942 ~ August 12, 2021
Verna Lazelle Woods White, our family matriarch, affectionately known as “Aunt Verna” to literally hundreds of people across the country – both younger and older; related and unrelated; Black, White, Brown, Cablanasian, and other – left this mortal plane on August 12, 2021. Aunt Verna’s displayed unflappable grace to the end, affirming in her last words to one of her favorite nieces, “I’m fine, kiddo!”
God certainly broke the mold after Aunt Verna was born on February 3, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was blessed to grow up with three parents: Horace and Rolean Olloway Woods, who adopted her as an infant, and her biological mother Esther Cannon. Horace and Rolean reared Aunt Verna and her sister Michelle Woods in the shadow of Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. Aunt Verna made a name for herself as a determined and brilliant student, and a self-possessed young lady mature beyond her years. She had an independent streak that some called “stubborn,” though it laid the groundwork for her role as a pioneer in so many areas. Aunt Verna’s hallmark “bougie-ness” was established early as Rolean taught her about the love of family, celebrating her own self-worth, and the value of quality goods. Aunt Verna was the first black girl on her high school debate team, and weathered many storms with her best friends Rosie Walker and Jeanie Jenkins.
Aunt Verna also grew up with Esther and her other siblings Virgil Rabun, Mary Trotter, Rita Lucas Teague, and H. Carol Lucas, spending time together in Chicago and with family across Arkansas. As the eldest, Aunt Verna always set the standard and served as the ringleader of many sibling shenanigans. One cherished sibling memory was celebrating Christmas at midnight on Christmas Eve because that is what time Esther got off work for the holiday. Thus started a tradition that persisted in our family for decades and grew exponentially once Aunt Verna moved to Atlanta.
After graduating from James Whitcomb Riley High School, Aunt Verna initially went to work. But it was not long before her favorite uncle Clarence Olloway persuaded her to enroll at Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), as the fifth member of the Olloway family, including her classmate and cousin Bernice Olloway Terry, and the first member of the Cannon family to do so, As an undergraduate, Pioneer Verna was the first in the family to pledge Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where two of her sisters and one of her nieces eagerly followed. She left an indelible mark on her undergraduate chapter, literally and figuratively, by establishing a pledge process that was used for years after she left and by actually leaving a mark on one of her big sisters who made the mistake of trying to haze her on-line.
After graduating from college, Pioneer Verna decided to strike out on her own and move to a progressive and emerging southern city: Atlanta. Aunt Verna enrolled in the Atlanta University School of Social Work, where she earned a Master’s degree in Social Work and obtained her license to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Along with her two best friends, Barbara Allen and Geranda Burt, she began her social work career at Grady Hospital before taking a job with the State of Georgia.
Again, Pioneer Verna was one of the first to establish ongoing, adaptive treatment plans in the area of addiction and recovery. She was one of less than five LCSW’s in the state to be recognized by the governor for her work with hard-to-treat repeat offenders, and her expertise was often sought by the courts and non-profit organizations. Aunt Verna retired from the State after almost 32 years of hard work and excellent service.
While building a career, Aunt Verna was also building a name for herself in the community. Rather than join the existing AKA chapter in Atlanta, Pioneer Verna along with her sister Mary and 13 other ladies chartered a new chapter in DeKalb County. Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter is still in existence and is one of the largest chapters in the country. As a member of St. Phillips AME Church in Decatur, along with Esther, Aunt Verna taught Sunday School for many years. Aunt Verna also volunteered extensively both before and after retirement, most notably with Atlanta Children’s Shelter.
As if that were not enough to keep her busy, Aunt Verna turned her love of and talents in cooking into a business. Along with her friend Geranda and her sister Carol, they established GVC Catering providing professional catering services for several corporate and private events. Aunt Verna’s famous dishes mixed the practical with her inevitable bougie-ness: macaroni and cheese with six different kinds of cheese, apple pie made upside down and with caramel, French toast made from challah bread and oversized stuffed shells with authentic Italian ricotta became customer and family favorites.
Even with all of her professional and civic accomplishments, family is where Aunt Verna made the biggest impact as our family matriarch. Our entire family and many friends followed Pioneer Verna from the Midwest to settle in Atlanta. For family, friends, and friends of friends, Aunt Verna’s Decatur home became the mecca, with its mixture of African and Asian art, extensive family photographs, and Mickey Mouse memorabilia. Many a traveler or relocator stayed in her guest bedroom, while every kid in her life can recall a slumber party, cookie party, tree decorating party, or backyard picnic hosted by Aunt Verna.
You could stop by Aunt Verna’s home any time of day, with or without notice, and she would greet you with a smile and an offer of her patented “Hot Toddy” in the Fall and Winter or a cup of freshly ground Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee made in her Chemex topped off with Southern Butter Pecan creamer along with a fresh baked good. Pop-ups were always welcome.
In addition to being a fantastic daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Aunt Verna helped to rear three of her sisters’ children: Jhmeid, Kali, and Brandon. When Jhmeid was in the Navy stationed overseas, Aunt Verna made sure he received regular heartfelt care packages. She encouraged Kali to attend summer college programs starting as early as seventh grade. She sacrificed to put Brandon in a private school to ensure he could receive the best education. And when Jhmeid moved back to Atlanta after leaving the service, Aunt Verna stepped up to help with his son Jhalen.
Aunt Verna’s graceful, loving presence will truly be missed. She is survived by her nephew/son Jhmeid Billingslea (Carlene) and his children Jhalen, Jhasmine, and Anjhel; niece/daughter Kali Billingslea; nephew/son Brandon Reames; sister Michelle Woods and son Brandy Darnell (Christine) and his sons Jacob, Bryson, and Mason; sister Mary Trotter; sister H. Carol Lucas; sister-in-law Sarah Rabun and her and late husband Virgil’s sons Dereck Rabun (Yolanda) and sons Miles and William; and Julian Rabun and his children Julian II, Jayden, Juliah, Peyton and Jayce; late sister Rita Lucas Teague’s daughters Malaika Teague Howard (John) and her children Japhia, Jordan, and Judah; and Folami Teague and her daughter Amirah; cousin H. Bernard Washington and his sons Hunter, Hayden, and Austin; cousin Debbie Olloway Hall and her daughter Denver, cousin Jeff Cannon; cousin Lynette Cannon; cousins Bernice (Aaron), Brien, Chistopher, Cherice; many Olloway and Whitfield cousins; niece Rowana Cheatham and her sons Ethan and Austin, and niece Lisa Allen; close friend Bonnie Herron; and a host of loving family, friends and colleagues. A private service will be held at Westview Cemetery on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Aunt Verna, we love you and honor your greatness and your legacy.
5/16/2024 djb
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