Mostly Clear, 63° F
(June 6, 2004)
Longtime Powell resident LaVergne "Vernie" Rea, 78, died Sunday, June 6 at Powell Hospital after a lengthy illness.
She was born to Benjamin Franklin and Inez Maude (Cumpston) Hudson on Aug. 1, 1925, in Ringgold, Nebr. Her family moved from Nebraska to Wyoming when she was a young child. Upon arriving in Wyoming, the family settled on a Whistle Creek homestead southeast of Powell. She graduated from Byron High School. She later moved to Greybull before finally settling in Powell where she has lived for the past 45 years.
In 1947, she married Vaughn Roberts. They later divorced, and in 1965, she married Jerry Rea. He died in 1986.
Vernie worked for many years as a seamstress for Funke's Cleaners. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, playing pinochle, gardening, sewing and quilting. She will be fondly remembered for sewing beautiful quilts for family and friends.
Survivors include her sons, Ike (Nancy) Roberts of Powell and Thomas Rea of Riverton; grandchildren, Christy (Shannon) Ellis of Lovell, Jera (Pat) Monroe of Buffalo, Brittany Northrup of Evanston and Geddy Northrup of Houston, Texas; and six great-grandchildren.
At her request, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Should friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Lupus Foundation. Haskell Funeral Home handled arrangements.Graveside memorial services will be Monday, July 19 at 2 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery. She died June 6 at Powell Hospital at the age of 78.
