E. LaVerne Stevens Garren

On February 2, 2025 E. LaVerne Stevens Garren passed away of natural causes in the company of family. “LaVerne”, as she was known, was 103 years and 6 months old. She retained her sense of humor, curiosity and independent spirit while never failing to thank anyone who showed her kindness and always greeting strangers with a smile.

LaVerne was born into the 8th generation of tobacco farmers on the Stevens Farm in Rustburg, Virginia. Her parents were James William Stevens, Jr and Nettie Virginia Rucker. LaVerne attended Providence Community Church and graduated from Phillips Business College. At 19 she married Albert Stuart Haddon “Don” Garren in Baltimore Maryland at Don’s family home on Bird River. A year or so before, Don had met one of LaVerne’s older brothers who brought him home to the farm for dinner. That night, after meeting her across the table, he confided to her brother: “I just met the woman I am going to marry!” With a shared sense of adventure, the young couple celebrated their marriage by driving to Honeymoon Island, Dunedin, FL. The island's name comes from a 1939 publicity stunt by a businessman and Life magazine who held a contest for newlyweds to spend their honeymoon on the island.

Don served in the Coast Guard during World War II and LaVerne followed him to Providence, RI and then to Nantucket Island. While Don trained dogs and service men to patrol the beaches, LaVerne rented rooms to visiting Coast Guard wives. After the war they bought one of the two available homes in Roanoke. LaVerne was accomplished in all things domestic including cooking, baking, sewing, decorating, entertaining, and gardening. In addition to their large vegetable garden, she and Don raised rabbits and chickens, bred and trained dogs for obedience and show, and boarded dogs. In the 50’s as the area grew, Roanoke annexed part of their property for a four lane road. Sadly Don passed away in 1960 at the age of 44. LaVerne continued to operate their kennels and dog training classes. After several years, she returned to work outside the home joining the staff at the Girl Scouts’ Roanoke headquarters. Later she was the secretary of Fort Lewis Baptist Church, and then Connelly Memorial Baptist Church until her retirement. She accomplished the goal she and Don shared of sending their three daughters to college. LaVerne’s savvy business skills helped her negotiate the sale of her Melrose Avenue home in 1965 to Shell Oil Company without the service of a realtor. When she could not find the right house to invest in, she took on the project of building a new home on a lot she and Don had purchased years before. She recounted that when she felt overwhelmed by the building process “ I put a smile on my face and acted like I was having the time of my life!” LaVerne enjoyed her home. As life would have it, in later years she found herself negotiating for the airspace above her home as the airport expanded. After retirement she enjoyed church activities and the company of her many friends. She made a point of developing friendships that spanned all ages and interests. Next to her phone, LaVerne kept a file of events in and around the Roanoke area in order to suggest fun activities, “besides going out to eat”, to share with her friends. She did not shy away from driving by herself to any event that sparked her interest. LaVerne and a close friend traveled abroad and around North America alternating the responsibility of “trip planner” and “traveler along for whatever is planned”.

At 80 she bought a computer and learned to email. In her 90’s she was able to share pictures with family by text message. Also at 80 years of age she joined Curves gym. She found the key to using the gym on a regular basis was “just getting yourself out the door.” Walking and participating in local exercise classes were part of her active lifestyle. In 2007 she sold her home “to get away from stairs” and rented a condo until 2014 when she moved into Friendship Retirement Community which had been on her bucket list. Her final move was “to get closer to her girls” relocating to Greenspring Senior Living Community in Springfield, Va. Before moving she gave up driving at 94 which she greatly missed for many years. LaVerne Garren is preceded in death by her brothers James W. Stevens III, Rucker M. Stevens, and Melvin L. Stevens.

She was a wonderful mother to her surviving daughters, Evelyn L. Garren of Arlington, VA., Donna K. Babcock of Peterborough, Ontario, CA and Nancy G. Powell of Crownsville, MD. and loved her sons-in-law, George A. Babcock and Richard C. Powell, DDS like sons she never had. LaVerne delighted in the company of her grandchildren, Garren A. Babcock, Philip D. Babcock (Stacy McCool), John “Jack” C. Powell (Sophie Arts) and M. Brooke Powell, DDS (John F. Simanski, Esq.). The many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews who visited and kept in touch with her, enriched her life and brought her joy as did her many friends, acquaintances and caregivers.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 am at Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24502. There will be no scheduled visitation hours at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery, 3000 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Mill Mountain Garden Club in support of the wildflower garden or to The Mill Mountain Zoo for recovery efforts from storm damage.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.