Interment will be in the Stevenson Cemetery, Rayville, under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville.

Mrs. Laverne was born April 19, 1935, in Rayville, and passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025, in Shreveport, surrounded by her family.

Laverne married her high school sweetheart, Joe Meeks, after her family moved to Nederland, TX where she graduated from high school. Joe followed her to make her his bride.

After they finished his stint in the army at Fort Benning, GA, they used his GI Bill to purchase a small grocery store back in Nederland, TX.

They then moved to Rayville to take care of Joe’s father. She worked as a bookkeeper so that Joe, at the age of 34, could attend NLU to become a coach. Laverne had several jobs in her professional career, but none she loved more than being Coach Joe’s wife. Together they changed thousands of young lives over the years.

He got the credit; she did a lot of the work.

She was a servant to her children, her church (Boeuf River Baptist) and her friends, but most of all her beloved, Joe. Laverne took care of everything so he could be the coach and change the lives of so many young people. Although he received the accolades, together they were the ultimate team.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Coach “Joe” Meeks; son, Coach “Dickey” Meeks; and parents, Lellage and Vernell Grantham.

Survivors include her children, Ken Meeks (Zoe) and Jolynn Fernandini (John); daughter-in-law, Debbie Meeks; her grandchildren, Sonia Burleson (Jeremy), Jesse Hill (Matt), Ricky Joe Meeks (Lacey), Bo Meeks (Robin), Pat Roberts (Jason), Neal Papin (Ashley), Jennifer Sikes (Chase); great grandchildren, Molly, Ty, Raye, Grayson, Addie, Blake, Beckett, Slone, Emmy Jo, Avery, Emerson, Hudson, Kennison, Kelby, and Wilder; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Steve Adcock, Richard Freeland, Todd Rogers, Donnie Adcock, Mike Adcock and Stuart King.

Honorary pallbearers will be Coach Don King, Ridge Heisler, Mark Johnson, William Freeland, and George Barefield.

Visitation will start at 4 p.m. and end early at 6 p.m., to allow for Friday Night Football, Friday, August 29, 2025 at Brown-Holley Funeral Chapel, Rayville.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes. com.