Laverne Gates Fornea, 86, born in Columbia, Miss. on June 20, 1926, a resident of Varnado for more than 60 years, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 in Gulfport, Miss.

She is survived by her sons, Gregory Neil Fornea of Varnado and Ruffin Daniel (Greta) of Gulfport; two sisters, Doris (Thad) Pearson of Florence, Miss. and Carolyn (Karl) Boone of Bunker Hill, Miss.; four grandchildren, Lorna Fornea, Lillie Fornea, Christi Gill and Shannon Fornea; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Tom Paul Fornea; her son, Tom Paul Fornea Jr.; her parents, Cassie Gates and Lillie Courtney Gates; and her brothers, Howard Gates and Neville Gates.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Aug. 19 at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home from 2 p.m. until time for the funeral service at 3 p.m., with Rev. Bob Adams officiating. Interment will follow at R.D. Fornea Cemetery in Varnado.

Special thanks to the staff and her friends at Lakeview Nursing Center, Memorial Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital for caring for and loving her throughout the years. May God bless you all!

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll be there forever!”

To view and sign online, visit www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com