Laverne Shapkoff

Laverne Wingate Shapkoff, 87, of DeRidder, LA, passed from this life on Friday, March 31, 2023.

Laverne was born in Pitkin, LA and spent her childhood in Marlow. She graduated from Rosepine High School. Laverne spent many years living in Virginia Beach before returning to spend the rest of her life in DeRidder. Laverne travelled extensively visiting numerous states and countries, but what she loved most was spending time with her family. She added beauty to the world through her creative talents, whether she was working in her flower gardens, making floral arrangements, or through her paintings of flowers, landscapes and family portraits. Laverne loved spring best of all the seasons. Green was her favorite color and she loved that spring had hundreds of shades of green. She once wrote, “just be happy, never change, love your life, but most of all, enjoy many springs.” Laverne lived a full life and was able to enjoy eighty-seven springs and this brings comfort to us as her family.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Richard Schermerhorn and Toni of DeRidder, LA, David Greenberg of Virginia Beach, VA; daughter, Tami Vangorder of Virginia Beach, VA;  grandchildren, Krista Nelson(Sam) of West Monroe, LA, Molly McCormick(Brad) of Ruston, LA, Mark Schermerhorn(Katrina) of Pitkin, LA, Jacob Schermerhorn of Pitkin, LA, Robert Tuttle of DeRidder, LA, David, Jessica, Adam, Ryan, Hannah, and Elizabeth, all of Virginia Beach, VA  and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, friends and honorary grandchildren that called her Grandma.

She was preceded in death by her longtime partner, Jerome Greenberg; son, Mark Schermerhorn; daughter, Terri Noel; grandsons, Richard Schermerhorn, Jerome Greenberg; parents, Woodrow and Ruby Wingate; brother, Grover Wingate.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 10:00 AM until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Pastor Alexandria Geovanni will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will follow at Marlow Cemetery in Pitkin, LA.

The family would like to give special thanks to all those who helped during her care so that we could honor her wish to pass peacefully in her own home; Robert, Katrina, Bobbie Ann, Krista and Kim. Thanks also to those from Heart of Hospice; Holly, Anna, Emily, Addison and Chaplain Alex, and the caregivers of Companion Care.