The Rev. LaVerne Angel Isaac Thorpe, 62

DOVER - The Rev. LaVerne Angel Isaac Thorpe, of Dover, peacefully slipped away Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, in Christiana Care-Christiana Hospital, Newark, after a powerful prayer by the Rev. C.V. Holmes, surrounded by her family and a host of friends. She was 62.

She was born in Macon, Ga., on Aug. 28, 1944, daughter of the late Mattie Lee Thurman and Clarence Richardson.

LaVerne attended Benjamin Banneker School and graduated from William Henry High School in Dover, where she led the band as a drum major. She graduated in 1963 with achievements in academics and music.

She started working at General Foods in January 1974, where she was a dedicated and loyal forklift operator for 33 years.

LaVerne continued her education and obtained her diploma of ministry in 1994, bachelor of ministry in 1995, and her master's of biblical studies in 1997 from Chesapeake Bible Seminary in Queenstown, Md. She was working toward her doctorate in theology.

LaVerne was one of the assisting ministers at New Jerusalem Baptist Church and loved preaching the word.

In her spare time, she enjoyed watching westerns on her 60-inch TV.

LaVerne leaves to cherish her memories Vance E. Thorpe, to whom she gave her hand in marriage on Dec. 16, 2006; two children, Tracey E. Dearinge and Vernedette Dearinge-Flamer, both of Dover; a brother, Clarence Richardson of Houston; a sister-in-law, Betty Richardson of Houston; three aunts, Nancy Daniels of Dover, and Delois Bridges and Mary Ann Robinson, both of Philadelphia; her grandchildren, Shadayna, De'Andre, Johnathan, Shayla, Brandyn-James, Jasmyn, Jeremy and Kayla; two great-grandchildren, Amani and Mia; her extended family, Walter Waddler III, William Winchester, Vanzharee, Charlene, Vanessa, Mike, Raymond, Kevin and Darnell - whom she loved as her own; her devoted friends, Julia Bess, Betty Frink and Markietta Simmons; a host of nieces and nephews; co-workers at Kraft; her church family; and her loving pastor, the Rev. C.V. Holmes.

A viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Bennie Smith Funeral, 717 W. Division St., Dover.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Bibleway Church of God in Christ, Kirkwood Street, Dover.

Interment will be Saturday in Sharon Hills Memorial Gardens, Dover.

Following the burial, there will be a repast at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.