Laverne was raised in La Porte, Tx where she graduated from La Porte High School in 1969. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age as a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. On November 28, 1969 she was united in marriage to Joe L. Thomas. To this union a daughter was born, Stacie N. Thomas.  During her husband's Army career, Laverne traveled the world and loved every minute of it. Laverne was employed by the Army Air Force Exchange Service for over 30 yrs.  After her husband's passing in 1988, she moved back to Lawton, Oklahoma. While in Lawton, OK she became a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the usher board. After retiring from the Army Air Force Exchange Services in 2010, she worked at JC Penny for a short period before returning home, back to La Porte. Laverne had a kind spirt and never met a stranger. She had an uncanny way of connecting with those around her and leaving them with a smile on their face.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe. L. Thomas, her mother Comilla Sykes, her brother Rodney Sykes and her mother-in-law Violet Thomas; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, in laws and grandparents.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Stacie Thomas-Brown of Deer Park, bonus son Mark Brown of McKinney, Tx, father Johnny Earl Phillips of Houston, Tx, three brothers, Richard Phillips (Stella) of Onalaska, Tx, Stanley Phillips of Houston, Tx and Donald Sykes of Houston Tx. three grandchildren, Angelo White of Houston, Tx, Alexus Brown of Houston, Tx and Darius Brown of Houston, Tx., an aunt, Lola Phillips of Onalaska, Tx and Uncle Rick Pearson (Cynthia) of Desoto, Tx, three close and dear friends Henrietta Houghton, Anita Irving and Kathleen Leday of Lawton, Ok and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.