LaVerne Garnett Wright

LaVerne’s Journey LaVerne Garnett Wright, eldest child of the late Delores Selby Wright and Rufus Hayes Wright III, was born on February 27, 1953 in Salisbury, MD. She departed this life on Monday, August 14, 2023. She received her education through the Somerset County public school system, graduating in 1971 from Washington Senior High in Princess Anne, MD. Upon graduation, she attended Morgan State University. LaVerne received an Associate degree in Nursing from Wor-Wic Community College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (cum laude) from Salisbury University. She was the first African American inducted in the SU chapter of Sigma Theta Tau (international honor society for nursing students). She was also a member of the SU Chapter Lambda Eta. She began her nursing career as a RN at PRMC in 1979 and was employed in the OB-GYN/Mother-Baby unit where she served as administrative charge nurse prior to early retirement in 2001 due to illness. In 1991, former Governor William Donald Schaefer and the State of MD honored her as PRMC Nurse of the Year. LaVerne became a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Oriole, MD at an early age. During her early childhood and teen years, she was a member of the singing group, the Oriolettes. She later transferred her membership to Trinity United Methodist Community Worship Center (formerly Grace) in Princess Anne, MD. There she organized and chaired the Outreach Ministry, served on the fact-finding and building committees and chaired the Health and Welfare Committee. The United Methodist DE-Peninsula Conference awarded her the Order of St. Barnabas Award (1998) for outstanding service in the Ministry of Stewardship. She was a member of the Venton-Oriole Community Association and the Oriole Historical Society. Most recently, under her leadership, which was mainly voluntary contributions, and with the support and cooperation of the members of Descendants of the Oriole Community, an organization she founded and established and whose mission was to assume financial responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the St. James Historical Church ground and cemetery, funding exceeded all expectations as members were benevolent and generous. At the time of her death, she was a member of St. Charles United Methodist Church in Chance, MD, where Reverend Deangelo Johnson serves as pastor. LaVerne had a nurturing, loving attitude and was always willing to serve others in her career, her church, her community, and her family. She was a devoted mother. Her organizational skills and ability to delegate responsibility earned the trust and respect of many. She was often called upon for counsel, and generously provided advice, guidance, support and encouragement to others. LaVerne was creative and was admired for her interior design, flower arranging, wreath making, gardening, and baking. She loved gospel singing, good conversation and a stimulating debate. Family and friends fondly referred to her as “Verne” or “Tights.” She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to hear, as well as tell, a good joke. She leaves cherished memories with: her son, Daronn Wright of Salisbury, MD; three sisters, Dorethea Johnson and Patricia Johnson, both of Princess Anne, MD and Emma Wright of Salisbury, MD; one brother, Rufus Wright IV of Princess Anne, MD; one sister-in-law, Krystal Wright and one brother-in-law, Wayne Johnson of Princess Anne, MD; three aunts, Sylvia Jones of New Castle, DE and Joyce (Jesse) Jones and Brenda Selby, both of Princess Anne, MD; an uncle, Arthur (Wendy) Selby of Millsboro, DE, and a special cousin, Markhanna (Serena) Wright of Chance, MD as well as several other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Etta Ann Wright and Portia Delores Wright.

LaVerne Garnett Wright

February 27, 1953 - August 14, 2023