LaVerne Corley Crenshaw was born on July 2, 1924, in Monessen to Albert and Mary Ann Corley in the family home. She was the last of their nine children, raised in a household with six brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Monessen Senior High School in 1943. She left Monessen for a short time when she was married to Army officer Solomon Crenshaw Sr. They had three children, Solomon Jr. “Butch,” Louise “Coo” and Lucious (SIDS). When they divorced, LaVerne remained in Monessen until she moved to Inkster, Mich., to live with her daughter, Louise Bonam, six years ago. LaVerne was a very generous and hard-working single parent and she instilled these values into her all of her children, James in New Jersey, Stephanie in California and Brett Sr. (Carla) of Monessen. She attended the Union and Fellowship Baptist churches. She loved being on the usher board and helping out in the kitchen when there were special organized activities. LaVerne loved working with food, especially baking. She was lovingly known as the “Cookie Lady” because she made cookies for her family and friends for holidays and their special occasions. She did learn to drive, yet never got her license, but that did not stop her from traveling. She walked all over town, walking to catch the 88 transit bus with her kids in tow to go to shows in Pittsburgh and often times connecting to the Greyhound bus to visit family and friends in other states. LaVerne had the opportunity to travel to Spain and North Africa in the 1970s with her sisters, Marie Littles and Mae Berta Jones. One of her fondest memories of that trip was riding a camel. She supported her family by working many odd jobs and being employed at her brother Sylvester’s store, Corley’s Fish Market, and being a factory worker at Corning Glass Works. She retired from Corning in 1986. At 95, LaVerne died from old age on April 11, 2020. She will be laid to rest in the Valley. The family will hold a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to WILLIAM R. TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, Trudy L. Taylor, director in charge, 724-684-4877.
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