LaVerne Whitted Rudder

LaVerne Whitted Rudder was born on April 21, 1947, in New York City, New York, to Christian Whitted and Willie Roy Best. While growing up in Harlem, LaVerne was active at Walker Memorial Baptist Church, where she sang in the children's chorus and with the New York Gospel Choruses, served as an usher, and frequently recited welcome addresses at church programs. At 17, she moved to Goldsboro, NC, to live with her grandparents, Earl and Mable Whitted, to complete her senior year at Dillard High School. Upon graduation she attended Winston-Salem State University, majored in elementary education while pledging and being an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. After obtaining her bachelor's degree she continued her education at NC A&T University, earning her master's degree in counseling with honors and becoming a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honorary Society. After graduate school, she began her career at Delaware State College in Dover, Delaware, before moving to Newark, New Jersey, where she worked in the Newark Public School System, before concluding her career with Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, North Carolina. When she wasn't working, she was with her children, taxiing them to one of their many activities; Marvin to trumpet lessons or karate, and Carla to violin lessons or dance class. LaVerne loved spending time with family and friends, either in person or on the phone from 5 am until sundown, keeping up with everyone. As time passed and her children grew up, she enjoyed traveling with Charles and spending time with her grandchildren. If there was a cruise ship to be on, she was ready to set sail, and her passport was always ready for its next stamp. LaVerne took her adventurous spirit and decided to move to Indio, California, where Charles, and pooches Gracie and Polo, followed. LaVerne was a daughter, sister, wife, mother and nanna to her immediate family, a niece to her aunts and uncles, a cousin to extended family, and lifelong friend to many. She will be remembered fondly with love and terribly missed. LaVerne was preceded in death by her sister, Shannon W. Simmons, who passed on May 8, 2009, and by her stepdaughter, Robin R. Rudder, who passed on November 21, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Charles E. Rudder; her son, Marvin E. Grice (Velkeys); her daughter, Carla A. Rudder (Mohamad); her stepson, Charles E. Rudder, Jr. (Carole); her three grandsons, Torry Brooks, Maleek Grice, and Melvin Grice; her step-granddaughters, Aralyn Rudder and Caris Rudder; her step-grandson, Charles E. Rudder, III (Cassandra); her step-great-grandson, Jensen Rudder; her step-great-granddaughters, Jordyn Rudder, Cassidy McClendon and Calia McClendon; and a wide circle of cherished friends. In lieu of flowers please donate to ‘Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc.’ — www. icsfofcaryinc.org