Laverne Mathis (nee Inman) was born on June 5, 1927 in Haileyville, OK to Virgil Jackson and Alberta Inman (nee Roberts). She proudly lived in Tulsa for over 70 years and was a resident of The Parke Assisted Living Home for 3 years until her death on Sun, Dec 16, 2018 with her loving family at her side.

Laverne was the oldest Inman daughter of 4 children: Jack Inman, Jerry Inman and Hazel Bynum (nee Inman). She was married to the late John Mathis for 57 years and raised 2 loving and supportive children, Linda Aaron (nee Mathis) of Villanova, PA and James Mathis of Broken Arrow, OK. Laverne predeceased John by 18 years. Laverne has 4 grandchildren: Angela, Amy, Andy and Josh, and 7 great grandchildren: Peyton, Palmer, Emmy, Max Barker, Jolene Mathis, Maverick Mathis and new baby Lucky Mathis. Her beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. Her nephews, nieces, and in-laws include: Rhonda Mathis, Mark Aaron, Duanne Inman, Nelda Inman, Brad Inman, Carla Brunson, Gerri Inman, Jenny Mae Inman, Ann Inman and many others. Other special people in her life include dear friends Carroll and Dennis Gordon, Mickey and Gary Gordon.

Laverne graduated from Haleyville High School in 1947 where she lettered 4 years in her school Glee club. The family never knew she could sing and was good! She later studied cosmetology and was later employed by her aunt in her salon. Her family eventually moved from Haleyville to a farm in Hartshorne, the farm had no running water and outdoor plumbing. While in Hartshorne, she went to work in sales a local drug store. While working at the drugstore, she was slowly being pursued by a military vet, John, who worked for Southwestern Bell. His assignment was working on the pole on the highway near her family's farm. He had seen her many times going to and from her work at the drugstore and eventually learned who she was. While playing in the yard, Laverne's young sister, Hazel, overheard the Southwestern Bell worker who was working on the pole was using dirty language while working. Hazel J-Nel, quickly informed her parents of this worker, which they later learned was John, the man pursuing their daughter, Laverne. While John was courting Laverne, Laverne had a party line that was busy all of the time, so John took things into his own hands and often went on the pole to cut in on Laverne's party. This didn't make him a favorite guy when he cut in to interrupt the party line's phone conversations. They courted, fell in love and later married and moved to Tulsa in 1948.

John and Laverne were a very loving and strong support system for Jim and Linda, they were the model American family who taught their children good manners, respect and sound moral values. John and Laverne were extremely active in Linda and Jim's life by volunteering in the kids' schools and in their community. During the kids' school years, John was a leader with the Cub and Boys Scouts and Laverne was a leader with the Girl Scouts. Laverne was a homeroom mom.

RV Camping was LaVerne & John's passion, they loved to travel. For years they spent every spring & summer at the lake and belonged to a camping club named the Honey Bees. They were just campers, she or John never swam. John fished and LaVerne worked on crafts in her trailer and visited with the other campers. Certain places they camped she and the other ladies would go into the nearest town and shopped. Every year after their annual trip for Christmas to Linda, Mark, Angela & Andrew's house, they would become Snow Birds. They headed with their camper to Allen, Texas near the Mexican border to meet up with some of their friends. There they enjoyed taking bus trips into Mexico. They developed many good friends through those years camping.

Anyone that knew Laverne knows she loved three things. Bingo, QVC & Casinos. It began with bingo. John carved in the evenings and Laverne went to Bingo mostly at the Seratoma Club. She made lots of good friends with others that went regularly also. Even after John passed away, she continued to go. Not afraid to come home to an empty house which is probably why she continued to go. After she moved into The Park Assisted Living Home, she always participated in their Bingo Days. You never ask her to go anywhere on those days because she would tell you no, because it was bingo that day.

Sometime during those years she found the QVC channel. She loved to shop! I am sure that she knew the people on phone at QVC and the UPS man well. She had great taste in jewelry and clothes; she could have opened her own little store.

Her 3rd entertainment passion was the Casinos. She loved to go! Her long time good friends Carol & Dennis (they were camping buddies also) would come pick her up almost every Tuesday evening and head to Hard Rock for the dinner buffet and slot machines. She was pretty lucky through the years and I am sure there were some unlucky nights also. At The Park , they had outing to the River Spirit Casino on Friday afternoon. Sometimes she said she would be the only one to sign up to go and they would take her anyway, whoever took her would hang out with her at the slot machines and have fun. The night before she passed away, granddaughter Amy asked her if she would like to do something and she shook her head no. then Amy asked her if she would like to go to the casino, she grinned real big and shook her head YES.

Laverne had a zest for life, her unconditional love and her kind spirit, she always had a smile on her face and enjoyed humor. She will be missed by all, but her special memory will live on in us all forever.

Laverne's family would like to provide a special thank you to the staff at The Parke and the many other people who were in her life during her later days for the support and friendship they provided. You made a lasting effect on her every day and she did appreciate you.
Friends and family are invited to the services on Friday, Dec 20, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Fitzgerald Southwood Funeral Home, at 3612 East 91st Street, 918-291-3500. Interment will be at Floral Haven. Reception and Celebration of Laverne's life to follow at Fitzgerald Southwood Funeral Home. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com