LaVerne Elaine Graham Gaither peacefully passed away from her earthly home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 14, 2021. She was born to the late Charlie E. Graham and Gertrude Lash Graham in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on September 25, 1945. The youngest of eight children, LaVerne was surrounded and loved by a family who inspired her to dream big and pursue a career in education.

She was educated in the public schools of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County where she excelled scholastically and graduated with honors in the Atkins High School class of 1963. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the concert and marching band and played the flute and clarinet. Following high school graduation, she enrolled at Winston-Salem State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1967. She then completed graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she earned her M. Ed Degree in Early Childhood Education.

LaVerne began her early Christian Education at Mount Zion Baptist Church where she joined and was baptized under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. K. O. P. Goodwin. In the course of her life, she exercised the tenets of her faith at Mount Zion where she served as a devoted Sunday School Teacher, Charter Member of the Young Adult Choir (Inspirational Choir), The Elizabeth Missionary Group and a faithful member of the Pastor's Bible Study Class. LaVerne had strong faith in the Lord and was guided by His Holy Word.

Mrs. Gaither was a tireless teacher who mastered the art of student advocacy. Her elementary school teaching career spanned 36 years in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System prior to her retirement. Most of those years were spent as an innovative, committed and professional educator at Whitaker Elementary School.

LaVerne Graham and Clark Gaither were united in holy matrimony on August 1, 1987. The couple remained happily married for thirty-four years prior to her recent passing. LaVerne was a caring, courageous leader. Everyone she knew could count on her kindness, compassion and encouragement.  Her smile and her genuine interest in children, family and friends sparked her vibrant personality and endeared her to all who knew her.

She was a Diamond Life Member of the Winston-Salem Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated, National Women of Achievement, The WSSU Alumni Association and The WSSU Horns.

Along with her parents, Mrs. Gaither was preceded in death by three sisters, Moena G. Hinson, Dr. Verdell Graham and Miriam G. Gerald; and a brother, Charles Graham.

The unspeakable joy that awaits her in heaven is the hope and promise of those who look forward to a reunion with her in eternity. Survivors include her devoted husband, Clark Gaither; stepchildren, Ronald (Shari) Gaither and Wanda Gaither (Emmanuel) Davis; sisters, Delores Graham and Dr. Clarice Carter; brother, Hiram Graham; 8 step grandchildren, Christian, Cameron, Julianna Rose, Justin, Johnathan Clark, Jasmine,  Jillian Davis (Lamar) Boulware and Ryan; 3 step great grandchildren, Lelia and Lillie Gaither and Jovanni Davis-Boulware; three sisters-in-law, Veronica Gaither Jones, Wanda Gaither Gadson, and Aldrenia T. Gaither; nieces, Princess Gerald, Beverly Graham, Gail (Dr. James) Collins, Letisha Jones, Bridgett (Isaac) Pitts and Skylar Martin;  nephews, Ronald Hinson, Sr., Keith Hinson, Reverend Ronald (Tiffany) Hinson, Jr., Rayshawn (Kelsey) Martin, Irshad Martin and Iman Martin; cousins, Darryl (Denise) Ray, Runeda Gerald and Charlie Gerald; godchildren, Tammy Ware, Trent Ware, Amar Holmes and Kennedy Solomon; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Mount Zion Baptist Church or The Graham Family Endowment Scholarship Fund at Winston-Salem State University, 601 S. MLK Jr. Drive, 311 Blair Hall, Winston-Salem, NC 27110.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30pm Friday, October 22, 2021 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12:00pm until 12:30pm on Friday at the Church.

The services will be live streamed on the Mt. Zion Baptist Church website beginning at 12:30pm Friday.