Thursday, May 6, 2021
Frances LaVerne Crooks, 79, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Monday, May 3, 2021, at her home in Nevada. LaVerne was born Jan. 31, 1942, in Walker, Mo., to Albert Wayne and Emma Fern (Tuttle) Phillips. She was united in marriage to Gene Bobbett on June 25, 1961, and he preceded her in death on May 26, 1999. LaVerne later married Dodson Sonny Crooks on June 15, 2003, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 8, 2020.
LaVerne was raised in Walker and graduated from Walker High School Class of 1960. One week after graduating from high school she began working at Farm and Home Savings in Nevada. Following 48 years in banking, LaVerne retired from Team Bank as Assistant Vice President on November 28, 2008. She has worked part-time in the office at Ferry Funeral Home for the past 20 years. Her memberships included being a 60-year member of Nevada Chapter No. 53 OES, a 50 plus year member of Beta Sigma Phi, former member of Soroptimist International of Nevada, Royal Neighbors, past D.D.G.M. Eastern Star, past State President of National Association of Bank Women in MO, and past President of AIB Ozark Chapter. LaVerne also served as a past board member of the United Way, Main Street Nevada, Nevada Senior Center Building Board, and Walker Housing, Inc. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Nevada. LaVerne had a special love for cats and dogs, she enjoyed flower gardening in her yard, and especially loved listening to the Living Faith Mennonite Choir.