Laverne Emily Thomason

Laverne Emily Thomason, age 96, of Henderson, KY, passed from this life on Friday, August 1, 2025, at her home in the care of her family and St. Anthony’s Hospice after an extended illness. She was born in Henderson, KY, on January 13, 1929, to Robert L. and Birdie J. Emily, the tenth of their fourteen children. She was baptized into Christ on June 14, 1940, and was an active member of Henderson Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school class for at least 30 years. Laverne was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated from Barret Manuel Training High School in 1947 after having attended Weaverton School for grades 1-10 where she was the spelling bee champion in 1943. She and Fred Thomason, Jr. were married on June 25, 1949, and became parents to two daughters, Rita and Sharon. They enjoyed 39 happy years together until Fred’s death in 1989. Laverne was an avid traditional country music fan, making her first trips to Nashville, TN to attend the Grand Ole Opry and meet the stars in her teens. During the late 1940’s and early 1950’s she worked at Camp Breckenridge and for Gene and Hazel Chaney at Frank G. Schmitt wholesale company. After the birth of her daughters, she devoted her time to being a homemaker, seamstress for herself and daughters, school room mother, and active church worker. After her husband’s death in 1989, she temporarily relocated to Lewisburg, TN for 13 years to spend more time with her grandson, Scott. Laverne enjoyed time spent with family, church fellowship, the companionship of her cats, Scratchie and Blackie, working in her yard, playing Scrabble, crocheting, quilting, and working all types of puzzles in the newspaper. In addition to her parents, Laverne was preceded in death by her husband, 4 brothers, 8 sisters, and a son-in-law, Mike Coffman. Laverne is survived by daughters Rita Barnett and husband Ray of Lewisburg, TN and Sharon Coffman of Henderson, KY; grandson Scott Barnett of Nashville, TN; step-grandsons Christopher S. Coffman and his wife Beverly of Cairo, KY and Michael T. Coffman of Henderson, KY; sister Ruth Wallen of Henderson, KY; sister-in-law Nettie Gordon of Henderson, KY; brother-in-law Toby Thomason of Henderson, KY; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Relatives and friends are invited to Laverne’s Life Celebration from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and from 11:00 a.m. until the service time on Saturday at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home in Henderson, KY. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the funeral home with David Salisbury and Gary Puryear officiating. Burial will follow at Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson, KY, 42420. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Church of Christ India Missions, PO Box 1448, Hamilton, AL, 35570 and St. Anthony’s Hospice, 2410 S. Green St., Henderson, KY, 42420. Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home. Please visit www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com to share memories and words of comfort with Laverne’s family.

Laverne Emily Thomason

January 13, 1929 - August 1, 2025