Laverne Douglass passed away peacefully at Hudson Nursing Home on June 21, 2024 at the age of 102 years old. She was born December 1, 1921 in Banks, AR to Victor and Mary Bratton. She grew up with her sister Francis and brother Joe. Like many families in that era, the bathroom was an outhouse, they washed their clothes outside in a washtub and were hung on a line outside to dry.
Meals were cooked on a wood burning stove in big kettle pots and for the most part, they ate whatever they grew in their garden, chickens they raised and occasionally deer meat. Use it up, wear it out or do without, was often what they were told.
She met and married AG Faulkner and moved to Camden where her only son, Dwayne Faulkner, was born. Later, she found herself divorced, a single mom with a small son to take care of. She got a job at the the Bonton Café in Camden, AR. where she met her future husband, Gene Douglass.
They moved to El Dorado where she got a job as a waitress at the Town House restaurant in 1958.
She retired from that same restaurant as a cashier when she was 92 years old. She always wore bright colors, and her hair was always perfect. She was ready to go anywhere at any time. She loved fishing, camping, traveling and playing Dominoes, which she did weekly with her group of friends.
When she wasn't doing those things, she absolutely loved to shop, especially for shoes.
She was a member of Parkview Baptist Church until she became a resident of Hudson Nursing Home, where she enjoined attending church at the resident chapel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Mary Bratton; husband, Gene Douglass; sister, Francis Whitley and Brother, Joe Bratton.
Laverne is survived by her son, Dwayne Faulkner (Betty); Granddaughters, Sue Darden (Greg), and Christy Caldwell (David); Grandsons, Joseph Cheatham (Tasha), Trevor Cheatham (Rachel), Blake Caldwell, Paige Caldwell, Dylan Caldwell, Cyle Caldwell and Hope Mabry; and 7 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.
Laverne was loved so many and if you have ever dined at the Town House Restaurant, you know who I'm talking about. She was the little white-haired lady that took your order, took your money and always made you feel so welcome with a smile on her face. Anytime she went uptown, she was always recognized by someone. Working as a waitress and later a cashier was not a job to her, it was a place to go and spend time with family and friends. She had a long rewarding life and enjoyed it to the fullest. She will be extremely missed by her family and all that came in contact with her thru the years.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, June 25, 2024 with the Funeral Service immediately following at 11:00 am at Young's Funeral Directors Chapel under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.
