Funeral services for Verna Lorraine Essex, 87, of Chickasha, will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2017 in the Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel with Kim Hayes officiating.
Verna Lorraine (Carter) Essex was born August 18, 1929 in Gordon, Nebraska. She went to be with Lord Friday, April 21, 2017 in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Verna grew up in the Alliance, Nebraska, raised by her mother, Esther Alice (Johnson) Reno and step-father, Everett Reno. She graduated from Alliance High School in 1947.
She married Paul Wesly Essex on May 21, 1950 and throughout their lives, they moved from Nebraska to South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado and Oklahoma.
Verna worked at various businesses as a bookkeeper/clerk. She created a warm and loving home for four sons and a daughter. She was steadfast in her faith and loved the Lord her whole life. While living in Denver, Colorado, she attended and was involved in Living Waters Tabernacle.
She moved to Chickasha in 1998 and volunteered at Grady Memorial Hospital, where she was known as “the Hug Lady.” She was always willing to give anyone a hug and tell you why you needed more hugs. In honor of Verna’s memory, please give someone a hug.
Christ was her ever-present comfort and she remained a faithful witness. Affected with Alzheimer’s disease and a stroke in her later years, she remained kind, cheerful and loving to the end.
Verna was preceded in death by both parents; her husband, Paul; and one brother, Larry Carter.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Tom and Mary Ann Essex of Chickasha, Dave Essex of Chickasha, Jerry and Juanita Essex of Blackhawk, Colorado, Walter and Debbie Essex of Denver, Colorado, and Janette and J.R. Wright of Sand Springs; three sisters, Helen Kinzle, Linda Wright, and Carol Reno-Lee; thirteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and other extended family and friends.
“….and her children shall rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28
Interment will be in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.