Mrs. LaVerta L. Terry

LaVerta Lorene Terry, 89, of Bloomington, passed away Thursday morning, February 18, 2016 at Hearthstone Health Campus. Born November 10, 1926 to Reverend William Pat Buckner and Mary E. Buckner of Brazil, Indiana. She was a 1943 graduate of Greencastle High School. LaVerta sang all of her life. As a child, she and her sister Mary (Billy) sang in special church programs. Juanita, the third sister, was the talented reader in these programs. As a teenager, LaVerta won first place in Metropolitian Opera audition and received a scholarship to the IU School of Music. When she arrived at the assigned dormitory with luggage in hand, she was denied a room because of her race. Crushed, she returned home and later graduated from Jarvis Christian College in Texas after attending Tuskegee Institute. After moving to Bloomington, marrying Henry David Terry and having three children: Henry David, Jr., Kay Ellen and Gwen Anne, LaVerta worked in factory jobs at Otis Elevator and RCA while getting her teaching degree. As the first black teacher in Monroe County, she became involved in local affairs when she was appointed to boards and commissions as a pioneer in a more diverse community. She worked diligently at these appointments and became very well respected. For many years, LaVerta was very active in the choirs and Bible Studies at First United Methodist Church in Bloomington. LaVerta moved from Elementary Education to a position at Indiana University as Assistant Dean and later Dean of the Groups Program. She traveled widely, meeting parents and prospective students and is fondly remembered by many whose lives she enriched. She received many awards including mention in the National Congressional Record. LaVerta is survived by her sister, Juanita Mason, son David and his wife Marcia, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three great great -grandchildren. LaVerta was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two daughters, one sister, and two brothers. She will be fondly missed by sister in- laws, Paula Bucker and Jane Buckner, many nieces and nephews and many close friends including her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters. Family will receive friends from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 26, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 219 East 4th Street. Burial will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions in LaVerta's memory may be made to the Indiana University Groups Program. "I sought solace in the sun's bright warmth. And the coolness of the breeze. I sought comfort from my friends. And clung close to family. I sought peace of mind through prayer and waited for God's grace to come. I sought easing of my pain and looked for answers everywhere. Then, in the quiet of the night, as I lay writhing in my pain, a voice swelled from my soul to say 'I send thee in the sun and breeze, I comfort thee with love from friends, and say, in answer to your prayers, Peace comes when you but look within.”

Tributes

Mrs. LaVerta L. Terry

November 10, 1926 - February 18, 2016