Verna May (Baker) Lammey, 74, of Woonsocket, died Dec. 17, 2016, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, after losing her battle with cancer.
Funeral services were Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m., at the Basham Funeral Home in Woonsocket with burial in Eventide Cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 6-8 p.m., with the family present.
Verna was born May 19, 1942, at her aunt, Mary Garrison’s home, in Phillipsburg, Kan., to Caleb Verne Baker and Kalkerone May Adee. She spent her early years in rural Phillips County, Kan. She attended the Long Island and Prairie View schools and graduated from Southern States Academy in Decatur, Ga.
In 1964, she married William H. Pope, and this marriage was annulled in 1965. She married Victor Venables on Aug. 17, 1967, and spent several years helping Victor with Peterson Campers until their divorce in early 1982.
Verna married Roger L. Lammey, Sr., on Aug. 16, 1982. She spent many years cooking for the crew of Lammey Custom Harvesting and built lifelong friendships across the Midwest. She and Roger drove semi-truck over the road together until finally settling in Woonsocket, where they were welcomed by the community. Verna retired from driving at age 65.
She loved quilting and sewing for her family and friends, pouring her love into personalized quilts for all of her grandchildren and for special events, such as Special Olympics and missions. She was devoted to her church and strong in her faith, serving as the secretary-treasurer of the Prairie Community Baptist Church in Woonsocket. Literature was very close to her heart, and she volunteered many hours to the Friends of the Library and was an avid book collector.
Verna is survived by her husband of 34 years, Roger Lammey, Sr., of Woonsocket; two daughters, Mary Foss of Waco, Texas, and Lynnette (Sydnie) Deal of Ankeny, Iowa; three sons, one of southern Kansas, Roger (Michaela) Lammey, Jr., of Sumter, SC., and Scott (Crystal) Lammey of Letcher; numerous grandchildren; and her special friend, Vickie Hines of Woonsocket.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Caleb and Kalkerone; her siblings; and her oldest son.