Laverne Barlow Kinnaird

LaVerne Barlow Kinnaird peacefully passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020 at Riverbend Nursing Home in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, at the age of 98 and a half years old. Known by many as Mother, Granny, MawMaw, Grandmother, Aunt LaVerne, neighbor or friend. She was born in Laark, Arkansas near Wilmot on August 25, 1921. She is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Edelle Barlow, sisters Jimmie Akers and Juanita Williams and former husband, George W. Kinnaird. She was the loving mother to George Ann Whorton (Mike), the late Gerald Kinnaird (Gina), the late Frances Tomplait (Kenneth), Ronnie Kinnaird (Rosalind), and Bonnie Gasquet (Bruce). She was the proud grandmother to Steve Whorton, Susan Allison (Tony), Traci Tomplait, Jamie Madere (Gene), Kendall Kinnaird, Dr. Jeanne Hutchinson (Jamie), Trey Kinnaird (Kim), Loretta Tomplait, Cherie Tomplait and the late Caleb Kinnaird. She had 14 great-grandchildren: Samantha Templin (Bryan), Kristina Lemme, Taylor Sanders, Dylan Madere, Hanna Hutchinson, Tyler Madere, Bren Hutchinson, Connor Kinnaird, Kaitlyn Kinnaird, Aniyah Sanders, Maverick Marin, Michael Whorton, Jade Kinnaird and Andrew Kinnaird. She was great-great-grandmother to Sadie Lemme. She was a beloved aunt to a host of nephews and nieces. She was a resident of Plaquemines Parish for the last 55 years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Belle Chasse. She grew up on Hopkins Hill in North Louisiana, near Bastrop and met Red while waiting at the bus stop. In 1938, she graduated valedictorian from Bonita High School. She and Red both worked at the paper mill in Bastrop. They married in Rayville on March 11, 1940 and started their family in Bastrop. While Red was in the Navy, she lived in Port Arthur, Texas with her parents. During this time, she worked at Texaco Refinery in the laboratory. This was a job that men usually would have done, but women were hired to do, with so many men being away fighting in WWII. After the war and while raising five children, she attended nursing school at Lamar College and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). She worked as a nurse while they lived in Texas. In 1965, Red was transferred, and they relocated to Buras, Louisiana. For many years, she worked at Delta Bank…working at the Buras, Port Sulphur and Belle Chasse branches. After Hurricane Camille, she and Red relocated to Belle Chasse and later retired. While retired, she volunteered for many years at Meadowcrest Hospital. LaVerne enjoyed spending time with her family, especially at The Tom Kinnaird Family Reunion held annually in Bastrop for the past 92 years and at the annual reunion named LaMil, after LaVerne and her sister-in-law, Mildred, who were more like sisters. Additionally, she LOVED playing dominoes…beating nearly everyone who was up to the challenge of playing her! All who knew LaVerne, enjoyed her delicious cooking over the years! She is famously known for her delicious chicken and dumplings, home-made sourdough rolls, chocolate and lemon meringue pies, cookies, carrot cake, and chocolate cake! In addition to being an excellent cook, LaVerne was an avid gardener. She grew beautiful roses, hydrangeas, cannas and always had a vegetable garden. Her family is thankful for the many years of loving care she received by the staff at Riverbend Nursing Home…”home” as she called it. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations be made in her memory to Belle Chasse United Methodist Church at 8375 Highway 23 Belle Chasse, LA 70037. Visitation and Private Services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2020 at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA.