Obituary

Laverne Corkern

April 16, 1931 - January 7, 2025

Laverne Corkern of Franklinton passed away peacefully on the afternoon of January 7, 2025, at 93. She lived a long and fruitful life, spending her last day surrounded by loved ones, watching Gunsmoke, and enjoying the birds outside. As the family matriarch, Laverne was loving and nurturing, yet unafraid to speak her mind. She graduated from Franklinton High School in 1948, where she was a cheerleader, named Football Queen, recognized as most athletic, and joined her basketball team in taking the 1947 state title. She was a fiercely strong woman, wife, friend, and mother of four. She worked at the Red & White Grocery, Washington Parish Library, Washington Parish Health Unit, and most notably as a dairy farmer. She was an active member of Sunlight Baptist Church, even in her final days. Known for her great cooking, she was especially famous for her scratch biscuits and chicken pie. She is now home with her beloved husband of 52 years, Ralph Corkern, and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by the following family fortunate enough to have known and loved her: her loving caregiver, Lisa Henderson; her children: Becky Jenkins (Earl Jenkins), Renea Agnew (Jerry Agnew), Ernie Corkern (Shellye Corkern), Ramona Bowlin; her grandchildren: Kelli Hoeppner (Mike Hoeppner), Jerry Agnew, Jr. (Kim Agnew), Michael Agnew, Lauren Jenkins (Ariel Flores), Ernest Wayne Agnew (Stacy Agnew), Kellie Losauro (Desmond Ordon), Amy Bekes (Chris Collins), Luke Jenkins (Allison Jenkins), John Agnew, Brett Corkern (Ashley Corkern), Trevor Corkern, Mason Corkern (Trinatte Corkern), Sidney Corkern; as well as numerous great-grandchildren.

Laverne was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Corkern; an infant daughter; her father, Shelly Otis Sheridan; her mother, Josie Fussell Donnally; her brother, Richard Sheridan (Nelda Sheridan); her son-in-law Charlie Bowlin; her granddaughter Jana Denning; and sister-in-law/best friend Gladys Passman.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Monday January 13th from 8:00 am until 11:00 am. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Monday with Rev. David Hedden officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunlight Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Waylon Mizell, Billy Mizell, Trevor Corkern, Mason Corkern, E.W. Agnew, John Agnew, Luke Jenkins